Dan Davies outlines Rockpoint regeneration vision

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Making a point: Dan Davies (pictured) is regenerating the area formerly known as Rockpoint in Merseyside

After selling CPL Training last year, founder Dan Davies has launched a new venture called Rockpoint Leisure, which was founded to regenerate coastal towns.

Davies, who grew up in the hospitality trade, spent much of his time abroad or working in the industry, rather than experiencing his local environment.

However, once he had time to really see New Brighton, formerly known as Rockpoint, an area of Merseyside he grew up around, he saw it needed time and attention to bring it back to life.

The project has so far seen Davies buy up swathes of land that he intends to turn into bustling hives of activity, filled with shops, other outlets as well as pubs, bars and restaurants, which he is calling the Victoria Quarter.

Other attractions

Previously, the area was filled with landmarks, such as towers, trains stations, piers, lidos and other attractions.

However, after years of neglect, there are very few reasons why anyone would want to visit the area, especially after fires and vandalism are said to have torn through the main attractions.

Davies, who is highly critical of the Millennial generation and claims they know little about the world around them, analysed what he wanted to see in the area.

The council had already spent money on the area but, he argued, it was used in the wrong way.

His own money

Using his own money, Davies set out with a focus on completely overhauling the area. He said there are things like bus stops, but no buses coming through the area.

There is, he claimed, a need for an uprising to turn the area into a better place. He has partnered with the community and is engaging local children to help clean up the area.

The James Atherton, named after the Victorian founder of the area, is one of the first pubs to be revitalised by the scheme.

All efforts are being made to ensure the area has longevity, rather than a five-year plan to build up a company and exit with a profit, Davies said.