Next Level Visitor and Guest Experience

InvestSefton would like to invite you and your team to an energising & interactive workshop.  Led by Andrew Kemsley of 10 Hospitality, a specialist in creative, thought-provoking training for some of the UK’s most respected hospitality brands, this workshop will inspire businesses to take their guest experience to the next level – transforming everyday interactions into memorable moments and reasons to return.

Whether you are new to hospitality or have a wealth of experience this workshop is not to be missed!  

Andrew ran the workshops back in January and we had fantastic feedback so we asked him to come back 😊 the final workshops are being delivered, email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk to book your place.

Louise & Paul, Hoghton Lounge Bar – “We absolutely loved the series of workshops… full of tangible advice, ideas and information to help us grow and link in with Southport’s exciting events.”

Jeanette, The Bold Hotel – “The hospitality workshop stood out… Andrew Kemsley was an outstanding speaker with practical and motivating insights.”

Sefton Social Economy Club

InvestSefton are setting up a networking group for social trading organisations in partnership with: Kindred, SAFE and Merseyside Expanding Horizons – three organisations who are dedicated and passionate about supporting socially trading organisations and businesses.

The group will be called the‘The Social Economy Club’ it is an open, informal meetup for locals, socially trading organisations, creatives and curious minds who want to engage with and grow the social economy which will meet 4 times per year in different parts of Sefton.

The first event will take place at 10am on Tuesday 24th March at The Lock and Quay Community Pub and Gardens, Irlam Road, Bootle L20 4AH

Book tickets here

Southport 2026 Workshops

2026 is going to be a big year for Southport with several large-scale events taking place in the town centre as well as the return of The 154th Open to Royal Birkdale in July .

To help Sefton businesses make the most of these opportunities throughout 2026, InvestSefton in partnership with Sefton Council’s Tourism team will be running workshops to help businesses think creatively, promote more widely and deliver next level customer service plus offering a drop in for general advice, support and talk about upcoming events.

Visit our events page for more info on the workshops and to book a place and visit Southport 2026.com to see full calendar for 2026.

Veterans Foundation Major Grants Programme Re-opens for Applications (UK)

The Veterans’ Foundation provides grants to eligible organisations that provide assistance to serving and former members of the armed forces community, operational qualified seafarers and their immediate families. 

The trustees will consider a range of factors including the projects or items being funded, the number of beneficiaries, the importance of the grant to the applicant organisation, the efficiency of the organisation and the needs of the beneficiaries.   Please ensure that you read the grant guidance relevant to the funding programme you select before applying for a grant from the Veterans’ Foundation. The guidance and application form differs for each of the funding programmes. 

There are different levels from grants. Different criteria apply to each. More information can be found here

Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards – do you know any potential sponsors?

The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards coming up on Friday 24th April 2026 at The Grand in Southport. 

It’s a stunning night out, honouring community heroes from across Sefton. 

There are 13 categories, 11 of them sponsored by organisations including Sefton Council, Fletchers Group, Halliwell Jones, Southport College, EFT Group and others. 

There are two categories still available this year: 

Sefton Child of Courage Award

Sefton Sportsperson Of The Year Award. 

If you know of any businesses out there which may be interested in sponsoring either award please let us know! 

Sefton Social Economy Club

The Social Economy Club is an open, informal meetup for locals, socially trading organisations, creatives and curious minds.

Gatherings take place four times a year in each borough across the Liverpool City Region.

The next Social Economy Club meeting will take place in Sefton, at the Lock & Quay Pub in Bootle and brunch will be provided.

Book tickets here

Funding for Transformative IT Projects (UK)

The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists Charity funds registered charities and organisations with a formal not-for-profit constitution such as a community interest company. It does not fund individuals or private companies.

Funding must relate to one of their priority areas:

Education

Inclusion

Tech for charities

Public Understanding of Technology

Examples of things that could be funded include:

Innovative New services

apps

AI

analytics

robotics

For more information click here https://wcitcharity.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/