Should UK Ports Look Better?

When you arrive at an overseas port what do you think? After all when you arrive in these ports does it give you an indication of the destination you have arrived into? I guess it must to an extent. When I think of the many overseas ports i have arrived into, there are many which actually look appealing, makes you look forward to what else is in store, if you get my meaning. However I think there are many UK ports which do not have that appeal. Now that UK cruises are very popular there are many people visiting that area, and not just us Brits. We need to make our UK ports look better.

I guess i have to mention firstly my home town which is Newcastle and the Port of Tyne. Firstly the Port of Tyne is not in Newcastle itself, you can not get off the ship and wonder into town, more’s the pity.  Personally I think this port is awful compared to some others in the UK. One of my clients has just come off a cruise from there and told me there is a sign saying the best port in the UK – they must be having a laugh!  I dread to think what people think when they arrive here. The terminal building is not great, to me it is like sitting in a hanger!  But on a plus note the parking is not bad!  Of course, once you arrive here, you can get to visit all the fantastic places in the North East but would arriving here put you off!

Southampton port of course is huge and whilst it is very commercial I think it is better because you have the shops not too far away and can walk into the city centre.   The port of Leith which serves Edinburgh is also one which comes to mind. Although you do have the Royal yacht Britannia there as well as a shopping centre – does it really show you what a great city there is to offer in Edinburgh? (although frankly this is not really a good example!) There is North Queensferry too which i think is much nicer with a lovely view of the Forth road bridge!  Not having sailed from Tilbury, I can imagine this too is a rather industrial port to visit, or even Hull.

So, what about those ports which in my opinion are worth a mention? Liverpool has to be one of them and worthy of the money being ploughed into it. Greenock although a small port is another one which I think is rather nice. Belfast is another port which has had some money and seems to be really good. There are probably many more you will tell me about but these are the ones that come to mind.

I know that not all ports have the money to “up their game”  nor can they change where they are, that is understandable but for me if we are wanting to increase tourism in whatever area you live in that has a cruise port you have got to try and do something to make it a bit more attractive.

I wonder how many of you agree with me?

Till next time x