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SOUTHPORT Flower Show chief executive David Jackson has warned that Sefton’s budget cuts could jeopardise future regeneration for the area.
Sefton council has slashed its leisure and tourism budget by 40% in a move linked to government austerity measures.
Mr Jackson said: “I can appreciate there has to be drastic cuts, but by slashing almost half the budget for leisure and tourism and putting more than 60 jobs at risk, the entire infrastructure of arts and culture in Sefton will be damaged.
“These cuts will have significant consequences that should not be ignored.”
He added: “We may not feel the effects now, but in the long term we will be counting the cost.
“The outcome will be to make the area less desirable to visit and will undermine quality of life indicators which in turn affects future investment, regeneration and tourism for the area.”
Now in its 82nd year and attracting around 70,000 visitors, the Southport Flower Show generates £4.4m for the Merseyside economy.
