'A real missed opportunity': Excitement and concerns raised over plans for three big screens in Southampton

Yesterday morning, Deputy Leader at Southampton City Council (SCC) and cabinet member for growth, Cllr Jeremy Moulton, announced on Facebook that Southampton City Council will be getting three big screens for use in the city centre across Guildhall Square, maybe at Central Station, Westquay, the Bargate and at a cruise terminal.

But the plans have been met with disappointment from some Southampton councillors who claim the screens have come "too late", and raised concerns on where in the city the screens would be.

• Southampton is set to get three big screens - and they could be here in time for the Euros

Cllr Moulton said the funding has been secured from the government's new Welcome Back Fund, of which the city is set the receive £300,000.

The council will be working in partnership with GO!Southampton on agreeing how events are managed and delivered.

Cllr Moulton said any events will needs to be "carefully considered" by public health experts at the council.

He added that they hope the screens will be in place in time to broadcast the Euros, however he said the council is "working really hard" to fast track their delivery adding the screens will be "used for the longer term".

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"The screens will be great for Southampton, helping inject more pride and energy into the city," he said.

"It will allow Southampton showcase what’s happening in Southampton both to residents and visitors. The plan is to locate them at key entry points to the city – central station and perhaps at one of the cruise terminals as well as in key gathering and meeting points in the city centre like Guildhall Square."

However the plans have been met with disappointment from one councillor, who claims this is a "missed opportunity".

Labour Cllr Satvir Kaur told the Daily Echo: "Everyone is super excited by the football.

"We want to believe it’s coming home this time and Labour want it to come home to Southampton, so local people can have an opportunity to come together and cheer on our team with an organised fan zone and big screen.

"Other cities are doing this in a Covid safe way and so can we. If Labour were running the Council we would already have screens up and ready.

"I’m pleased the local Tories have now given into local pressure from us and local communities, but I’m worried they’ve acted too late.

"We don’t know if it will be in time for the big game on Wednesday and they don’t even have a set location. A real missed opportunity."

Cllr Sarah Bogle added: "Southampton loves its football so am sure this will be welcomed.

"I will be keen to know exactly where these screens are going, so can be assured this won’t cause any issue for neighbouring residents in the city centre."

MP for Southampton Itchen Royston Smith said that the screens were an "excellent idea" and that it was a "good use" of the Welcome Back Fund in the city.

He said: "The safest way for us to congregate and socialise is outside so installing these screens is a great way to ease people back into normality while supporting local businesses which have struggled throughout the pandemic."