Southport firms offered free visitor boost sessions

Peter Walsh Author 2026-05-26 07:32 2 min read

By the Beehive Web editorial team

Southport-area businesses can book free InvestSefton events in June aimed at helping them prepare for higher visitor numbers linked to the town’s 2026 cultural programme.

The next sessions focus on guest experience in hospitality and visitor-facing settings. They will be led by hospitality expert Andrew Kemsley at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, with places available at no cost for local businesses.

Free June workshops at Formby Hall

The two-hour workshops are designed for firms that want to improve the way customers are welcomed, served and encouraged to return during a busy year for Southport.

The sessions follow recent InvestSefton digital and social media masterclasses, which the council says were highly popular with local businesses.

Who should consider attending

The workshops are aimed at businesses that rely on visitors, guests or customer service during busy periods. That includes hospitality operators, accommodation providers, attractions, retailers, food and drink businesses, and firms that support the visitor economy.

The focus is practical: strengthening the guest experience, making better use of increased footfall, and preparing teams for the demands of Southport’s cultural calendar.

Sefton business programme builds around Southport

InvestSefton says more than 300 local businesses have attended its recent events, covering marketing, customer experience and digital presence.

The support programme is being shaped around Southport’s packed 2026 cultural programme, with the aim of helping local firms convert extra attention and visitor numbers into stronger trade.

Sefton Economic Forum follows later in June

InvestSefton will also hold the Sefton Economic Forum at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa on Wednesday 24 June 2026.

The forum will include breakfast networking from 8.15am, followed by the main two-hour session from 9am. A Business Support Marketplace will run from 11am.

Speakers listed for the event include a Bank of England representative named in the council notice as Ken, alongside award-winning writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

Booking details for local businesses

Businesses can book a free place at any of the June InvestSefton events by emailing investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or calling 0151 934 3452.

Source: Sefton Council

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Source check Source check

This article was prepared from Sefton Council’s notice and checked for dates, venue, cost and booking details.

Checks

• Confirmed the listed June dates and times for the guest experience workshops.
• Checked that the venue named for the workshops and forum is Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa.
• Verified that the events are described as free for local businesses.
• Kept the Bank of England speaker reference limited to the name provided in the source noti...

Sefton Council Check related coverage

Source

Sefton Council

Scope

Southport and Sefton

Updated

2026-05-26 07:32

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Article contextPeople & topics2#7

Andrew KemsleyFrank Cottrell-Boyce

#Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa#Hospitality training#InvestSefton#Local business support#Sefton Economic Forum#Southport 2026#Visitor economy

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