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As Southport prepares itself for a unique year of extraordinary cultural activity in 2026, InvestSefton wants to ensure local businesses are fully prepared to capitalise on it.

Find out more about the cultural programme of events, including a video here.

InvestSefton have now launched a series of FREE workshops designed to boost your creativity, strengthen your marketing capabilities, and elevate your customer experience – giving your business the confidence to REALLY make the most of what is anticipated to be a never-before-experienced & exciting 12 months for Southport. 

Over 3 workshops, InvestSefton and our Expert Hosts will help you discover the next level for your business, covering 3 key themes, read more about the workshops here.

Sefton Council’s Passenger Transport Open Framework has gone live on the Chest today.  The Contract is for the provision of Passenger Transport Services (bus, mini bus, coach, taxi & private hire) to Sefton council and its establishments.   The Framework is split into 4 lots dependent upon the number of passengers – Lot 1 is 0-5/Lot 2 is 6-8/Lot 3 is 9-16 and Lot 4 is 17+.  A summary of the contract details can be found using the following link:-  Provision of Passenger Transport Open Framework – Find a Tender

If you need support with logging onto the Chest or support with the completion of the bid paperwork InvestSefton can offer support , please contact either Dominique or Sharon at InvestSefton@sefton.gov.uk

Last date to submit a bid is 14^th November 2025 at 12 noon

Our next Financial & Professional Networking Group (F&P) will be held on Thursday 23rd October at The Lake House in Waterloo, from 8.15 – 10am.

Join us from 8.15am for a complimentary breakfast and networking, with interesting and informative talks at 9am from a local business owner and LJMU.

Book your place: investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 3452

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

Next year is going to be huge for Southport…. Please join us for the official launch of Southport 2026 and be first to hear how your business can make the most of what is being planned.

With a promise to be ‘Elegantly Eccentric’, this event will share the ambitions and creative concepts behind the programme as well give practical ways in which you can get involved.

The event will take place on Thursday 6th November at The Grand in Southport between 5pm and 7pm. Visit our events page to book your place.

The School for Social Enterprise has launched a fully funded Women’s Enterprise Growth Programme offering 18-35-year-olds in Liverpool City Region and London expert support, peer learning, and access to a £7,000 grant to grow their social enterprises.

Applications are now open. For more information click here

Source: Growth Platform

Southport-based commercial photographer Patricia Niland has been recognised on the world stage, receiving an award at the internationally acclaimed Siena International Photo Awards (SIPAContest).

The Siena Awards are considered one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world. Each year, tens of thousands of entries are submitted from across the globe, with photographers from more than 140 countries taking part (Forbes). 

Images are judged by a distinguished panel of internationally renowned photographers, editors and picture buyers, making it one of the most competitive contests of its kind.

The awards ceremony took place at the historic Teatro dei Rinnovati in Siena, Italy, followed by a series of high profile exhibitions showcasing the winning works. Patricia’s work was exhibited at the Art School of Duccio, in Siena.

Patricia is a photographer who works with businesses, from start-ups to international brands. She specialises in Brand Lifestyle Storytelling photography, covering People, Food & Drink, Property and Products. 

Her work has already been recognised this year, with two awards at the World Food Photography Awards and her photography has also been exhibited at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography.

Patricia Niland said:

“To have my work recognised by SIPA and exhibited in such a prestigious international competition was a truly special experience. I feel incredibly grateful and humbled to be included among so many talented photographers from around the world.

“With a background in branding and graphic design, photography for me has always been more than aesthetics, it’s about storytelling. I strive to capture not just how something looks, but its atmosphere, its emotion and the detail that brings it to life. 

“My photography helps businesses share their story and market themselves more effectively. To know that this vision resonated with such an esteemed judging panel, and was shared with international audiences in Siena, is both an honour and an inspiration.

“SIPA’s hospitality in Siena was nothing short of extraordinary. From vineyard lunches and tours through Tuscany, to a grand awards dinner accompanied by a breathtaking light show in the Piazza del Campo, we were truly treated like royalty. 

“The experience has left me inspired and energised to keep pushing creative boundaries and to continue crafting imagery that resonates and connects with people.”

Source: Stand Up for Southport

Our next Financial & Professional Networking Group (F&P) will be held on Thursday 23rd October at The Lake House in Waterloo, from 8.15 – 10am.

Join us from 8.15am for a complimentary breakfast and networking, with interesting and informative talks at 9am from a local business owner and LJMU.

Book your place: investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 3452

InvestSefton in partnership with LCRCA Brokerage Service, Sefton@Work & Adult Community Learning are holding this workshop where you will learn about:

• A free recruitment service that will give you access to young talent
• Access to a skills diagnostic
• A wide range of fully funded training
• Employment subsidy options for young people

It will be held on Weds 22nd Oct at Sefton Community Learning Service, 53 Cambridge Rd, Seaforth, L21 1EZ.

Email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 3452 for more details.

Parkhaven Trust are a local dementia charity, they have a number of care homes and supported living facilities / day care services on their historic estate in the heart of Maghull, Sefton.#t

They are looking for local businesses that operate employer supported volunteering schemes  – allowing their staff a number of days leave each year to volunteer for local worthy causes, supporting the company’s corporate social responsibility.

For more information please contact Parkhaven Trust

Thrive is a specialist service for care leavers across Liverpool City Region that connects care experienced young people to the wrap around support services they need to secure meaningful employment; young people attending Thrive tell us they struggle to find work experience and research tells us that this is a wider issue across the UK. This October is Thrive’s 5th anniversary and to mark this occasion we created Raise Up, a non-profit, first of its kind event taking place on the 15^th October at BOXPARK Liverpool.

Raise up promises to be and informative day with an impressive line-up of guests and I am reaching out to local employers/organisations who may be interested helping us to support young people from across Liverpool City Region by joining us the 15^th.. The summit will unfold over 2 sessions and there is some additional information below.

• Session 1 is a morning social mobility information session for employers to provoke thought and energise the social mobility movement across the Region
• The team from Channel 4 will be joining us present their Gen Z trust, truth and trends research
• Chasing the Stigma will shine a spotlight on the C4 research providing practical advice for employers  in relation to young people’s wellbeing
• Sarah Atkinson the CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, HM Inspectorate for Police and Fire Sir Andy Cooke, Lynne Peabody CEO of the EY Foundation and Nisa Summer CEO of the Social Mobility Commission will be taking part in our expert ‘social mobility’ panel alongside
• We have a special soon to be announced guest who will be joining us for an insightful fireside chat about the impact of social mobility 
• UK charity Movement to Work will be showcasing the power of work experience and we will be launching a new initiative across the region to power up work experience opportunities. 

Session 2 is lunch where employers will be joined by 300 young people transforming the summit into a first of its kind intergenerational event, the afternoon will include career carousels, entrepreneur panels, careers insights a very special keynote speaker and a sports panel to end the day.  

Employers will be invited for post networking drinks from 3:30pm. Tickets for the event can be purchased via our website. All tickets include lunch and refreshments and each ticket purchased pays for a ticket for a young person: www.raise-up.co.uk