Most people who live in Southport seem to prefer the more relaxed and easy pace of our town than the razzamatazz of Blackpool , especially now that it is thinking of turning itself into a Las Vegas type gambling centre.

But Southport can take some good ideas from the biggest resort in the North West and use them to our advantage. For example, Blackpool has always been good at preserving and renovating its beautiful Victorian heritage. Its illuminations must be the best in the country and they now also appear to have solved their public toilet problems.

The word is out that they have entered into a deal with a private company, by forming a council partnership to not only run them with attendants but also to have them upgraded to clean and modern standards. The financing is (partially) covered by having a small charge per person for their use. This move has helped to solve the ever-deteriorating maintenance situation and has also NOT cost the council any more money for the much-improved service.

On the question of Promenade illuminations, whilst Southport cannot hope to fully match the “lights” of Blackpool , we must urgently upgrade our existing tatty display on our own seafront for the simple reason that they fail to compliment our splendid Christmas lights on Lord Street . Amazingly Sefton Leisure Services supervise the ornamental lighting on this frontage which has sadly fallen into disrepair and been condemned by the Lighting Department as being in need of replacement by the more modern design of LED's (Light Emitting Diodes). These are considered safer and much longer lasting than the traditional exterior lighting systems and are even more impressive.

By upgrading our Promenade festoon illuminations strung from Pleasureland to Fairways, we would go a long way towards matching Blackpool “lights”. This would also enhance our own Lord Street presentation.

lso, by ring fencing some of the £1.5million profit made from Southport's parking fees each year, we would provide the money needed and help to make us into a “Classic Resort”, especially if we also sorted out the poor public toilet situation at the same time.