Push to get more people to visit Wirral and other areas

It's hoped other areas like Wirral could build on the success of Liverpool’s tourism industry.

On November 18, tour operators from across the UK were given a tour of key Wirral locations as part of a Liverpool City Region funded project to increase tourism in areas outside Liverpool. The event was organised by Marketing Liverpool with Steve Reed Tourism Ltd

Steve Reed, the company's director, said the coach tours would bring new money in, adding people "want something different. They don’t want to see the same old."

Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton (Image: Ed Barnes) He pointed to areas like Victoria Road with its street art and “Bohemian atmosphere” as attractions “ready now for people to see.”

Hotels and attractions on offer on the peninsula were highlighted as well as visits to Port Sunlight and New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion and Fort Perch Rock.

In a presentation to coach operators, Wirral Council officer Chris Han pointed to the Wirral coastline, historic buildings, the UNESCO bid for Birkenhead Park, and planned new attractions in Woodside as reasons to visit.

He said the money generated from people visiting Wirral was believed to be £539m and the use of the Wirral as a filming location including for shows like Peaky Blinders generated £9m. He said this money was expected to grow in future as the Wirral becomes a more popular filming location.

James Wood, from Marketing Liverpool, said one of the things Wirral could use to its benefit is its location between Liverpool and Chester, two cities with successful tourism industries, adding: “It’s finding its place within our tourism offer. It’s basically complimenting what Liverpool has already got.”

The day seemed to have been a success making a positive impression on Michelle Higginson who runs Voel Coaches, one of the companies being shown around. A family business of 75 years, she said they had a dedicated customer base around Rhyl and Prestatyn.

Often taking people straight to Liverpool, she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Today has been really useful in opening my eyes to further opportunities to bring people to the Wirral and particularly New Brighton," adding: "There are possibilities here in Wirral that I had overlooked."

She said she would be looking to make some bookings at the Floral Pavilion theatre off the back of it.

Floral manager Pauline Campbell said: “I think until people come to the Wirral, they do not realise what is here. I think people think the Wirral is Liverpool but until you visit, you don’t appreciate the beautiful seaside areas. When you come here and experience it, the seaside towns and the countryside we have are second to none.”

She said: “I hope it will put the Wirral on the map. It’s not too far to travel from most places in the UK,” adding: “The more people we can bring from outside the borough to see what we’ve got and the Floral has, the better.”

People were also given a tour of the Mess, a restaurant and bar within Fort Perch Rock, as well as the Escape The Fort experience which takes people back in time to World War II. 

Dane Brookes, who owns both businesses, said: “I think in a lot of ways we are in Liverpool’s shadow,” adding: “For the size of the area, there’s a huge amount of heritage and I feel like it’s overlooked.

“People say they had no idea this was here. You then get people interested about what else is in the area and what else there is to see.”

Tony Franks-Buckley, who does history tours in New Brighton, said: “We have got a bit of everything for all to enjoy. We want more investment brought into the area and the rise in visitors hopefully will benefit everyone".

Sean Martin, from the New Brighton Coastal Community which represents local businesses, said he was impressed and felt Wirral Council was “taking things seriously,” adding: “This is the sort of thing that is exactly what we need, to show what we are.”

Sean Martin, from the New Brighton Coastal Community. (Image: Ed Barnes)