EDITORIAL: In the 32 years since the inaugural Southport Air Show, the event has deservedly earned its place as one of the town’s premier attractions.
The vast amount of planning involved is monumental. From securing displays to coordinating air traffic control and permissions, ensuring rigorous safety protocols, and setting up the necessary infrastructure, Southport has every right to take pride in this remarkable show.
It stands as a cornerstone of Southport’s tourism sector. Events of this magnitude, among others, significantly bolster Southport’s economy. Their success or otherwise is pivotal for the town, and hence, it’s only right that they undergo regular scrutiny.
However, such scrutiny should be constructive and fair. In most years, the Air Show unfolds seamlessly. As a case in point, OTS News lauded the opening day of the 2022 show as a resounding triumph. In recent times, OTS reporters have seen unfounded criticisms levelled online against Sefton Council—like them delaying the launch of Merseyrail’s new trains on the Southport to Hunts Cross line, or covertly fitting 5G antennas into street lamps. The latter seems unlikely, given our notoriously spotty phone signal. Yet, concerns about the Council’s management of Children’s Services and Southport Pier might be more warranted.
For the 2023 Air Show’s first day, social media channels associated with Southport news agencies and the show’s organisers were inundated with critical opinions.
Sefton Council, the organisers, can’t dictate the weather. The last-minute cancellation of the Red Arrows’ main event was indeed regrettable but shouldn’t prompt undue outrage. It’s worth noting the show was rescheduled from July to September due to tidal considerations. The model aircraft pilots rose to the occasion, entertaining crowds in the wake of the cancellations. Nevertheless, the prolonged intervals between major displays attracted much online censure. And while the lack of certain facilities at RAF Woodvale precludes its use as a temporary base for the Red Arrows, it’s the access and parking debacle that truly stole the spotlight.
It’s worth mentioning there was displays to enjoy when the show was underway and the quality of what remained on the schedule was exceedingly high. The RAF Typhoon always flashes across Southport Beach to rave reviews, and this year was no exception. Chinooks and Spitfires and Hurricanes all successfully took to the skies and were enjoyed by all who watched.
A last-minute decision by Council officials rendered the beach off-limits for parking. The ensuing chaos was palpable, with countless attendees confined to their vehicles for prolonged durations. Many, in sheer frustration, forfeited their plans to attend the show. The complete congestion of key access routes only exacerbated the issue. For an event expected to draw in 100,000 spectators, such oversight is indefensible.
The offering from vendors needs much more curation and care. If you find someone daft enough to pay £3 for a can of Coke, it would be helpful if the sellers had signal and a connection so that contactless payments actually worked.
Furthermore, Steve Ashcroft, editor of QLocal, unveiled footage of what appears to be a compromised ‘security’ fence—one so frail that even a determined 6-year-old could breach it—with scores entering the venue unchecked. This revelation comes shortly after Ashcroft rightly pointed out that one of the detour routes, the already congested Meols Cop Road, was constricted further due to overdue construction works at Sainsbury’s. This oversight caused considerable distress to local inhabitants.
These fundamental planning and procedural mishaps must be rectified in future editions.
While the Southport Air Show remains a cherished event, this year’s instalment did not wholly uphold the esteemed reputation it has cultivated over three decades. It’s neither productive nor accurate to declare it an unbridled success. Constructive criticism, such as this, serves as a roadmap, pointing towards areas of improvement and ensuring future editions soar even higher.
In a statement on Sunday evening, Southport Air Show said: “Because of a combination of the Reds being advertised as opening the show at 12, great weather and a rain forecast for today resulted in a bumper attendance yesterday which resulted in queues whilst we tried to get people parked and onsite.
“Unfortunately, the Red Arrows cancelling is really out of our control and we were as disappointed as you, we were fortunate to get a flypast a bit later on, and they were great to see.
“Ayr Air Show also was happening at the same time yesterday which resulted in some breaks in our programme, something beyond our control.
Some of the historical aircraft unfortunately had some technical problems.
“Thanks to the display pilots for giving us a brilliant weekend.
“Also, thank you to all of you who came to the Air Show, it was a fantastic event and your support really does make it happen.”
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