Today I visited the South coast boat show to listen to business owners. Building, selling and servicing boats is a key part of our local economy, here in Southampton. Creating high quality jobs for young people and therefore providing taxes to fund our public services are my core values. I met with business owners in this key sector to listen to how I can do more to help them grow their businesses, create more jobs, including technical apprenticeships and also export to other countries,
“Hello. Good morning. I’m Sidney Yankson the parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen. I’m here at the boat show with the organisers to hear a little bit more about how this local show is helping businesses and helping the residents of Southampton make sure that one of the key industries; the harbour, using the water; can be available to all. Give us a little bit of an intro as to the purpose of the show and why we are here today.
No problem at all. The show started in 2019. This is the fifth show we have done now, and it has grown and grown. We started off with 50 boats on the water. There are now 100 boats on the marina being displayed today. Completely free to the public. We now also have 40 exhibits on the landside. So there are roundabout 75 different exhibitors. Over 120 vessels. Everyone who is exhibiting is local - they are either from Southampton, from Hamble, a couple from Romsey and then some of the wider Hampshire areas. The key point of this show is around making sure that the boat and marine leisure industry can access serious buyers who are looking at buying their products. It is all about shifting stock. It is all about having a really good start to the boating season, and so far it has been brilliant.
Fantastic. The key measure here and the key understanding is that we want local people to come and support the show. We have local businesses who are trying to, of course improve the economy, and support the economy; and your providing a fantastic facility where the two can meet.
Absolutely.
Thank you very much for coming to support. Thank you for seeing the show and I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail.”
If you own a business in this sector, I would like to hear from you.
Please get in touch with my office.
Sidney Yankson
