NORTH West Tourist Board chairman Anthony Goldstone has urged St Helens businesses to wake up and work together to maximise the opportunities arising from the town's recognised status as a tourist destination.

Mr Goldstone said that visitors to the newly-opened World of Glass are expected to bring vital new business to the town and local businesses should consider extended opening hours to offer a customer-friendly service to ensure they received the range of services usually associated with such a high-quality attraction.

"The World of Glass is an outstanding example of a quality tourist attraction. Local businesses, shops and everyone involved in the tourism industry must work together to ensure that we maximise the benefits which it will bring to the region's tourism industry. St Helens businesses must recognise that tourism is a highly competitive industry. We must ensure that visitors receive warm welcomes and quality service so that they will want to return and recommend others to visit.