New Brighton revamp surpasses job target - report (From Wirral Globe)
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New Brighton revamp surpasses job target - report
11:44am Thursday 28th June 2012 in News By Stephanie Cureton
Looking to the future: Cllr Pat Hackett outside Fort Perch Rock. Pic: Paul Heaps
NEW Brighton's multi-million pound revamp has surpassed its target for creating jobs, according to a new report.
The £60m complex, which includes a casino, supermarket and cinema, has brought in more than 800 jobs since last year.
And an internal report conducted by Wirral Council highlighted the impact that the scheme had had on the local economy.
Local councillor Pat Hackett said it was now important to build on the seaside town’s recent success story.
He said: "This is great news for New Brighton and I think it reflects what a positive impact Marine Point has had on the town and the wider Wirral.
"We have also a transformation in the way people regard the development as some residents were fearful of the complex being built to begin with.
"But now, people are telling us that they had no reason to worry.
"We need to make sure that we build on the momentum that has been created and bring more investment into the area.
"In my eyes, we are only halfway there and there is so potential for New Brighton."
According to the report, 714 jobs were expected to be created at the Neptune development but it has already boosted the local economy with 810 jobs so far.
Morrisons, has created 311 jobs, Grosvenor Casino 120 jobs, The Light cinema 38 jobs and 30 at Home Bargains.
The complex’s latest addition, The Sea Horse – part of the Hungry Horse pub-restaurant chain - will also see more than 40 jobs being created.
And pub chain JD Wetherspoons is set to take over the former Playas Lounge later this year.
The Light cinema owner John Sullivan added that it was "very exciting" to be part of the regeneration plans.
He said: "Marine Point is a great development and we are very happy to play a role in it.
"People are always telling me how they had forgotten about New Brighton until now and that they love all the new facilities."
Comments(9)
mickey1more
says...
12:31pm Thu 28 Jun 12
I too was so lucky to have been able to use both open air baths as a youngster,many happy summers days spent at the venues.
So what are we stuck with? Bars and restaurants,shops and a hotel.
Great for anybody over 18!
Come on Pat,Lets get that Tower grounds redeveloped for an open air baths,next to the new pier that your promising us.
David Scott
says...
1:17pm Thu 28 Jun 12
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
7:40am Fri 29 Jun 12
"People are telling us that they had no reason to worry." Shades of Shoeless Joe Johnson in 'Field of Dreams' - "You build it and he will come".
And how come Cllr Hackett gets his own fort? :-)
uncatom
says...
9:32am Mon 2 Jul 12
antisthenes
says...
1:06am Wed 4 Jul 12
It worked a treat but what have we ended up with?
A development that replicates the hideous themed malls that sit alongside motorways across the country.
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
9:05am Wed 4 Jul 12
1. 800 new jobs so far, with a lot more to come
2. A state of the art cinema in an area previously a film desert for years
3. A major supermarket selling food and other goods at competitive prices and used by thousands of Wallasey people (and beyond) each week.
4. Another smaller but equally popular store
5. A group of first-class leisure outlets providing food and drink in attractive surroundings
6. Oh, and a new outstanding Floral Pavilion, of course.
7.A growing influx of visitors, in recognition of New Brighton's new-found attractiveness.
8. A group of local residents who are more and more taking the view that they were wrong to oppose this development in the first place.
Apart from that, what have the Romans ever done for us?
keef666
says...
1:46pm Fri 6 Jul 12
Sorry but you are not creating new jobs, you are just moving them from one business to another as these fail.
Bars and coffee shops wonderful.
I am sure everyone enjoys the countless vehicles which drive along the prom road now, getting out of Harrison Drive is a nightmare, come Wirral Council get a round-about there!
Ben Beaconsfield
says...
8:44am Sat 7 Jul 12
keef666 wrote:There we go. Another 'glass half empty' comment.
Neptune has boosted the local econnony by 810 jobs, yet if you add them up they only come to 539, so where's the other 271! and how many of these are full time posts!
Sorry but you are not creating new jobs, you are just moving them from one business to another as these fail.
Bars and coffee shops wonderful.
I am sure everyone enjoys the countless vehicles which drive along the prom road now, getting out of Harrison Drive is a nightmare, come Wirral Council get a round-about there!
Has keef666 never stopped to think that even part-time work is valuable to some people?
Spiffy says...
12:11pm Thu 28 Jun 12