'˜We're confident World Series will return'

Tory councillor Linda Symes says the council will explore ‘every opportunity’ to hold world-class events that see hotels, shops, bars and restaurants packed out.

Cllr Symes said: ‘There will absolutely be discussions about putting on more of these World Series events. We’ve proved we can put on world-class attractions here.

‘There’s no reason why we can’t stage occasions of a similar size here again and show the world our ability to put them on.

‘The Solent is the most wonderful piece of water.

‘We will explore every chance and every opportunity to celebrate the city, and bring money into our local economy. We want to keep our seafront, our shops, restaurants and bars full, all of the time.’

Cllr Symes, who enjoyed watching the racing from Southsea Castle, added: ‘It speaks volumes there wasn’t a hotel bed between here and Guildford available.

‘And it’s the same for Victorious Festival. There is not one hotel where you can stay that weekend now.

‘And all of the feedback we have had, and through the economic report produced into the success of Victorious, shows that once people are drawn into Portsmouth, they want to keep coming back.

‘It seems to be the case that people who haven’t been here before don’t understand what Portsmouth is about, but when they come here, they want to return.’