Barton: Pokemon can save Southport

A prominent campaigner for the heritage of Southport has raised an open proposal to prospective investors regarding capitalizing on some of the town’s most well recognized Victorian architecture that could restore the lost economic fortunes of the town and lead to it increasing its chances at receiving the maximum funding possible from its various funding grant applications moving forwards.

Mr. Barton is primarily seeking the utilization of the seaside town as an anchor point for regional competitions and in time national ones spanning entertainment and gaming culture, citing Pokémon as but one example where this has been proven successful before in other parts of the UK.

He has identified the potential of using vacant shop units, large and small, subject to the scale of the particular competition being pursued which he affirms can and will only bring long-term benefit for attracting people of all ages and creeds to the area, especially the youth and their respective families who may so choose to browse and support the local economy in turn.

The community campaigner, whose ultimate focus has been and remains the restoration of Southport and its reclamation of its “Classic Resort” status, believes that there already exists an exciting opportunity at both ends of Lord Street, the main high street in Southport for a national and regional competition franchise at either or both of the former Beales and Debenhams departments stores.

This could have multi-fold advantages for surrounding shops by increasing the original entertainment value on offer for a modern generation and actually encouraging people to explore the whole golden mile of the high street, be it with friends or family as part of a cultural phenomenon that would benefit from an impressive set of premises.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (Pokémon TCG) is Europe’s most successful strategic card game, inspired by Nintendo’s internationally renowned Pokémon franchise. Tournaments have been running mainstream since the Millennium, 2000 across the UK, although many of the regional events have been based in towns and cities across the South and Midlands with some Northern cities participating in the 2010s.

Mr Barton says: “From personal experience, events such as the Pokémon TCG can bring a huge tourism boost to an area when part of a long-established chain, especially the Regional and National events. Individual members, friends and families frequently travel in large numbers and visit the surrounding shops during the designated break periods for refreshments alongside the other attractions on offer. Naturally this would have to comply with Government restrictions at the time. My youngest sister, Lucinda won the National Juniors Category representing Great Britain in 2014.

I have written to the Pokémon TCG in the event they may consider a local event at some point in the future at an existing shop unit, preferably within the main Town Centre, although I appreciate that members of the TCG community would also have to submit an application for due consent to represent the Game officially as with any normal franchisee.

With the right level of planning and scope, should a larger set of premises, such as the aforementioned Department Stores or even the former Grand Casino become available, with attractive on site car parking for players, this could realistically lead to larger grand style events, such as Northern centric or even Regional and National events becoming a part of the annual Calendar, thereby benefiting other businesses including eateries, hotels and attractions centres also.”

“Whether it be card games, video games or other current trends of the decade, I maintain the view that our town really needs to listen to and finally incorporate the views of its younger residents that either still live here or have even had reason to leave the area in recent times. It should be noted that this has been done before effectively at the former Woolworths Store, but with the right coordination from a spirited individual or group, this could be the precursor towards a true civic regeneration for the town in years to come.”

Mr Barton has listed additional reasons that support his case which may be further
studied by prospective parties and The Pokémon Company:-

1. Minimal and relatively low-cost change required to alter the site and no costly
   destructive alterations needed, preserving the civic heritage aspects.
2. Car parking provided on site at former Beales site that could accommodate for both venues, especially during the pandemic whilst regulations regarding limited admittance remain in force.
3. Revenue would support the maintenance of the building all year round.
4. Attractive distinctive locations would attract high quality guests and net expenditure with an appreciation of fine architecture.
5. Any proactive use that doesn’t incur destructive change to the building will be
   favourably looked upon by funding bodies if grants are pursued according the
   criteria laid out.
6. Local Planning would be far more favourable amongst local residents bringing good will towards any further use of the building as an alternative form of its original retail purpose.
7. Planning may be accepted far sooner as minimal change encountered with installing furnishings, facilitating green energy connection even if partial.
8. All year round attraction that could be easily outfitted catering for yearly festivals, such as Halloween, Christmas & Birthdays.
9. Increased use of the building will keep the building aired, especially during the
   winter and allow for closer attention to detail of condition of building, again useful for any funding grant application demonstrating use as a community asset beyond historical interest.
10. May serve as a pilot for other large historical buildings facing dangerous threat of demolition and attract specified support from the government through again
    demonstrating appreciation and a need to keep fine buildings such as these.