I've given my all to this town... now I'm moving on

New Brighton businessman on his pride and hope for future

- By EDWARD BARNES

A MAN credited by many for reviving a Merseyside seaside resort said he is now passing the baton on as he looks to step back after nearly eight years.

Dan Davies has been a dominant figure in New Brighton for the past seven and a half years after he sold his business, CPL Training Group, for millions and began investing that money, with help from others, to buy up pubs and shops on Victoria Road.

The road had been described as empty and derelict before this, but now it is the centre of a number of popular bars, restaurants, and other businesses.

The area is sometimes compared to Lark Lane in Liverpool, and has been the base where bands like The Mysterines have launched their careers. Where a lot of high streets have gone backwards with more and more shops closing, many see Victoria Road heading in the other direction.

Looking back, Mr Davies said he founded Rockpoint Leisure to regenerate at a community level, backing independents and hiring artists to create murals now dotted around the resort, adding: "We wanted to create an ecosystem that attracted talent, retained talent, and championed independent businesses."

Mr Davies, who has also been the chairman of the Institute of Licensing and spoken in Parliament on the future of seaside towns, said: "This was trying to change the fortunes of the place I grew up in, and it used to p*** me off every time I came back from London seeing it go down and down. Seven and a half years later, it's working.

"100% of the road is occupied, and you have only got to look at pictures from seven years ago and now to see the difference."

He added: "New Brighton is doing a damn sight better now than it would have done if we hadn't intervened. I think a lot of this road would be completely gone forever. Half of it had already gone.