Portas Pilot cheap tickets to Margate extended by Southeastern
The seafront at
Margate
A £10 train ticket from London to Margate is to be extended...
after Southeastern saw a 70% boost in weekend bookings.
The Portas Pilot return ticket was orginally introduced last
November for the winter months in support of the Portas Pilot
regeneration of Margate.
So far 1,610 tickets have been sold, and weekend travel to the
Kent seaside town has risen.
The train giant is now offering the cheap return ticket until
Easter.
Sarah Boundy, head of customer services for Southeastern, said:
“The £10 ticket is in support of the regeneration of Margate and
has been successful in encouraging more visitors to the town at
weekends. It’s part of our focus and commitment to support the
local community.
“The ticket
is less than a third of a regular-priced fare and we’ve seen a good
take-up of the offer over winter, so we’re pleased to extend the
promotion for another month until Easter."
The ‘Portas Pilot’ ticket is valid for return travel every
weekend until March 31, but the tickets are only available to
buy online from southeasternrailway.co.uk/portaspilot.
The move comes as a storm of controversy builds over the amount
spent under the scheme in various towns.
The Portas Pilot scheme was set up by the government to
rejuvenate town centres around the UK.
Self-styled 'Queen of Shops' Mary Portas has been involved in
helping successful bidders for a slice of the £1.1m available
nationally.
But it's been revealed traders in Margate - which won a £100,000
grant - have spent just over £100 so far.
Ideas suggested to develop the town include displaying art in
abandoned shop fronts.
But, after she was brought in last May, the four people who led
the original Town Team grant application have all resigned and
claim Portas' plans had 'no substance'.
04/03/13
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