By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
What a tremendous year it’s been in Southport in 2024!
Our town has seen huge investment, with some exciting new additions – and more to follow in 2025.
It’s worth taking the time to celebrate just some of our new arrivals. Please let us know of any others!
The investment has seen the creation of hundreds of new jobs, many millions of pounds being spent, and a renewed sense of optimism for the future.
We have seen substantial new developments, such as Sainsbury’s supermarket in Blowick; new art galleries such as Grant Searl & The Northerner along with Clare Wright, Ruth Ryder and Emmeline McLoughlin; new hospitality ventures such as Sky Bar, Harry’s Bar, Penelope’s, Dilara, George’s Place, Remedy Ainsdale and Arthur’s.
Southport’s retail parks have seen a real boom, particularly at Central 12, where the introduction of free two hour parking no doubt helped to attract the likes of Snap Fitness, Caissa UK, McDonald’s and the CRUK superstore.
Lord Street has also seen lots of units filled, and it’s been fantastic to see established local businesses such as Kalash Divine Indian and The Grand expanding, while more new local businesses have opened inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade.
The villages are thriving, with Ainsdale, Birkdale and Churchtown all seeing exciting new ventures joining already thriving communities.
There is lots to expect in 2025, with work continuing to create the new £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre, as well as the conversion of the former Southport Visiter office and the former Debenhams.
Here are just 20 of the new ventures we saw in Southport in 2024 – here’s to a prosperous 2025.
1 – Sainsbury’s, Meols Cop Retail Park
After many years of deliberations and planning applications, Sainsbury’s finally opened its huge new supermarket at Meols Cop Retail Park in Southport on 28th February 2024.
The 44,710 sq. ft supermarket created around 150 new jobs for people in Southport.
It replaced the former Homebase unit which had stood vacant for a long time.
The new Sainsbury’s includes Sainsbury’s Habitat and Tu Clothing ranges, as well as a new Argos store.
The site also features a Smart Charge Hub with 8 ultra-rapid EV charging bays and a Costa Coffee.
2 – Sky Bar and Harry’s Bar, The Grand, Lord Street, Southport town centre
Southport’s most exclusive rooftop space opened on 12th July 2024.
Harry’s Bar and Sky Bar arrived on top of The Grand on Lord Street following a substantial transformation that began earlier this year.
Guests can enjoy sunlit rooftop views across the famous Lord Street boulevard, Southport Beach, the Irish Sea, and the Marine Way Bridge.
Visitors can choose drinks from a tailor-made cocktail menu with a wide selection of Champagne, wine and sparkling wine.
They will be able to enjoy it with delicious food crafted by Head Chef Callum King and his team.
The atmosphere is vibrant with top DJs and live music.
A huge New York themed mural at Harry’s by acclaimed street artist Shawn Sharpe of Good Good Graffiti adorns the wall.
A spokesperson for The Grand said: “It’s the epitome of sophistication, where flair and funk meet in perfect harmony.”
It’s been another busy year for Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group, which also spent a substantial sum on refurbishing The Bold Hotel nearby.
3 – Werksy, West Street, Southport town centre
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Southport’s first ever co-working space, Werksy, opened at 30 West Street on 8th January 2024.
Owned by directors Sarah and Ricky Blaney, Werksy has hot desks and dedicated desks for solopreneurs, remote workers and scaling businesses.
They said: “Solo working can be solitary, we want to change that; business networking and a community all in a beautiful space.”
Werksy offers space across three floors and offers: private offices; dedicated desks; hot desks; and meeting rooms; and hire-by-hour for podcasts.
It has since seen the opening of The Fool arts, dining, drinking and events space on the ground floor below it.
4 – The Fool, West Street
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The Fool is a vibrant hub that brings together music, immersive theatre and dining experiences alongside a range of creative arts programs for all ages.
The innovative arts venue is operated by Ginificent, a renowned theatre production company.
The Fool is based at 30 West Street in the venue previously occupied by The Firepit restaurant, and before that, The Warehouse restaurant.
The Fool is situated directly below Werksy, Southport’s first ever co-working office space.
As a not-for-profit organisation, every penny earned through the Fool will be reinvested into nurturing the arts in Southport and developing new, innovative projects.
5 – The Mallard, Ainsdale Village
The only pub in Ainsdale Village has undergone an impressive makeover since being taken over by landlady Danielle Hunt earlier this year.
The former Railway / Champs has now been renamed as The Mallard.
Owners Punch said: “We want to celebrate our publican, Danielle Hunt from The Mallard in Southport. Danielle embodies our values by delighting every guest and truly taking pride in her stride. Her bold vision has transformed the former Champs bar into a vibrant community hub, inspiring moments for everyone who walks through the door.
“As the only pub in the village, Danielle embraced the challenge of revitalising this beloved pub with purpose and heart.”
6 – Kalash Divine Indian, Lord Street
The owners of Kalash Divine Indian in Southport recently welcomed the first diners into their newly expanded restaurant.
Ranjeet Singh and Alvino Cardozo invested in acquiring and then converting the adjacent former Boulevard West bar after their growing success.
The expansion means that Kalash Divine Indian, which specialises in authentic Indian food, can now accommodate bigger functions, parties and events, growing from 60 covers to over 100.
It follows the recent move by Kalash to increase its opening hours to seven days a week.
Kalash has grown increasingly popular since opening its doors five years ago.
Owners Ranjeet Singh and Alvino Cardozo said: “We were really pleased to be able to welcome customers into our newly expanded restaurant!
“We have had some fantastic feedback from people, who love the changes and the fact we now have more space for everyone.”
7 – Snap Fitness, Central 12 retail park
The town’s newest gym, Snap Fitness Southport, opened its doors on 25th October 2024.
Open 24 hours, the franchised 7,000 sq. ft. gym provides the local community with a welcoming and inclusive fitness facility to achieve their health goals.
Membership to Snap Fitness includes round-the-clock access, instructor-led and virtual group exercise classes, a member smartphone app and reciprocal access to all 1,000+ global Snap Fitness locations.
The Snap Fitness Southport gym is packed full of state-of-the-art equipment, including connected cardio equipment which allows members to link up their fitness wearables and watch popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ while they exercise.
8 – Balcony Bar, Promenade
A brand new bar with beautiful views across the Marine Lake and King’s Gardens in Southport opened in April.
The Balcony Bar is at the rear of Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant on the Promenade.
It follows substantial customer demand and means diners can now enjoy a glass of wine or beer with their fish and chips inside the restaurant.
People can also sit with a cold drink in the balcony area overlooking the views across the lake and the park as they soak up the sunshine.
Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant underwent a substantial renovation last winter, with a new look and a new system of ordering which makes ordering even faster and more efficient.
Silcock Leisure Group Operations Manager Serena Silcock -Prince said: “We are delighted to be able to offer fizz and chips to our diners!”
9 – Cove, Birkdale Village
A wellbeing café which opened in the heart of Birkdale Village in Southport is making families feel good, thanks to adventures around the world.
Cove coffee, café and wellbeing is welcoming people at 25-29 Liverpool Road, in the former bank building which was previously home to The Allotment.
It is being run by General manager Victoria Buist, who has worked for Emirates Airlines, and Assistant Manager Beth Atherton, who worked for British Airways.
The two have been good friends since their school days at Christ The King High School in Birkdale and are now enjoying working together to create a friendly, welcoming space for visitors.
Cove is a café and community hub, fuelling wellness, igniting joy. It is a sanctuary for feelgood vibes.
Its mission is to create a friendly place in Birkdale Village, offering a space brimming with positive energy.
10 – Saltrock, Lord Street, Southport town centre
Saltrock, the beloved coastal lifestyle brand, was thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest retail location in Southport in May.
This expansion marks an exciting milestone for Saltrock as it continues to bring its signature blend of comfort, quality, and coastal-inspired designs to communities across the UK.
Located at 415 Lord Street, Southport town centre, the new Saltrock store will offer a wide selection of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children, embodying the laid-back spirit of coastal living.
Lou Rees Head of Retail at Saltrock said: “We are delighted to open our doors in Southport and become a part of this vibrant community.”
11 – Sinclair’s, Lord Street, Southport town centre
The new Sinclair’s Bar, Cocktail Lounge & Rooms in Southport opened in March.
Previously Peaky Blinders Bar, the rebrand to Sinclair’s honours founder John Sinclair and celebrates the rich traditions of whiskey bars and public houses in London and New York.
Customers can enjoy a wide selection of cask ales, draught lagers, a new cocktail and a wine menu, and a large selection of whiskey and spirits.
The Cocktail Lounge offers an exclusive setting for events.
Owner Melanie Sinclair said the bar’s rebrand is a fitting tribute to her husband, John, who opened the original Peaky Blinders bar in Southport in 2015. He tragically died in 2020.
She said: “With our rebrand, we aim to pay tribute to John, whilst also embracing the timeless traditions of whiskey bars and public houses.”
12 – Grant Searl Art Gallery, Wayfarers Arcade, Southport town centre
The new Grant Searl Art & The Northerner Art Gallery joined the growing artistic community inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade in December.
The gallery features two units packed with Grant’s stunning artwork, which reflect Grant Searl’s different styles.
They include his famous ‘retro surrealism’, which spark people’s memories, and his work as ‘The Northerner’, steeped in the North’s recent industrial past.
The new gallery will allow Grant to create his art inside the space, which can also be utilised for events and workshops.
Grant has been supported in opening the gallery by his wife, Maggie, who sells eclectic, unusual and eye-catching ornaments.
Grant is part of a growing artistic, cultural and creative renaissance happening inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, with other tenants including: Gallery More; The Engine Room, Ruthie Illustrations; Design by Gavriela; Wayfarers Arts; Brandwall; and more.
13 – Penelope’s, Rotten Row, Birkdale
Penelope’s on the Park opened inside the former Ho Lee Chow building on Rotten Row, at the edge of Victoria Park, home to the famous Southport Flower Show.
The building has undergone an eye-catching transformation and offers breakfast, lunch and evening menus.
It is the sister restaurant of Emily’s in Formby.
14 – Clare Wright Art Gallery, Lord Street, Southport town centre
One of Britain’s most recognisable artists is delighted to be welcoming people to her gallery in the trendy ‘Northern Quarter’ on Lord Street, opposite The Grand, after the opening of The first ever Clare Wright Art Gallery in October.
As the originator of the famous ‘liquid glass’ range, she continues to broaden the horizons of contemporary art with her designs.
Clare has sold her eye-catching art in the UK and around the world through her ‘Zenith Art’ brand for the past 20 years. Now she’s keen to step into the spotlight with a gallery under her own name.
Clare has sold art to celebrities including Karen Brady, Jermaine Defoe, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Jack Wilshere, Theo Paphitis, Tracy Moore MBE and others.
Her works include the stunning 9 metre high butterfly tree featuring 1,500 individual butterflies in the Oak Theatre at Scarisbrick Hall School near Southport.
15 – Toys R Us, Chapel Street, Southport town centre
A new Toys R Us toy store is now trading within the WH Smith store on Chapel Street.
Toys R Us has been on a busy process of opening 37 new concessions within WH Smith stores before Christmas across the UK.
Toys R Us first launched in the UK in 1985 when it emerged as the “world’s first toy supermarket”. However, generations of children and adults were left disappointed when the business announced it had collapsed into administration in 2018.
All 100 UK shops closed as a result – but plans for relaunch were announced in October 2022 when it landed a deal with WH Smith.
Managing director of WH Smith Sean Toal said: “Nearly 40 years ago, Toys R Us first came to the UK, and we take great pride in being the steward of this much-loved brand in the UK.”
16 – The Engine Room, Wayfarers Arcade, Southport town centre
The Engine Room welcomed its first visitors on 16th December 2023, with an initial unit at the top corner on the West Street end of Wayfarers Arcade.
This year it has grown; and grown.
Founder Dr Eric Lybeck, a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester Institute of Education, has been working closely with partners including Southport BID and Southport College to create a welcoming space where creatives, freelancers and individuals can come together in a ‘home from home’.
The Community Interest Company (CIC) behind the innovative venture has big ambitions to transform Southport town centre through re-energising vacant retail space.
He began with a cafe, and recently teamed up with 92 Degrees to offer top quality hot drinks to visitors.
The Engine Room has since expanded along the first floor of Wayfarers Shopping Arcade.
It is now home to creatives like artists Ruth Ryder and Emmeline McLoughlin.
It complements a series of quality local independent businesses on the ground floor including shops, a cafe, a barber’s and more.
17 – George’s Place, Lord Street, Southport town centre
The ‘laid back, chilled out lounge’ is situated at 451-453 Lord Street, on the other side of the road to Sainsbury’s supermarket and has been receiving rave reviews from local residents and visitors to the town.
The opening has seen another quality, local independent bar join the trendy ‘Northern Quarter’ with seating available both inside and out.
There is a wide selection of drinks and coffees.
On the floors above, the owners are busy creating 15 new luxury apartments as they support the growing trend for town centre living.
George’s Place proprietor Jamie Lodge said: “George’s Place is a very laid back, chilled out lounge.
“The reaction since we opened has been superb. People love it.
“Our aim is to play our part in helping to rejuvenate Southport town centre and get Southport back to what it was famous for being, which was very grand.”
18 – Churchill’s, Churchtown Village
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A new cigar sampling room arrived in Churchtown in June – the first of its kind anywhere in Sefton, and among the first of the few in the North West.
Churchill’s, named in honour of legendary wartime British Prime Minister and cigar smoker Sir Winston Churchill, is situated inside The Dram Gift Shop on Botanic Road.
The Dram originally opened in April 2022 and sells a range of whisky and whisky themed gifts, alongside other drinks including rum, Prosecco and beer.
Customers can walk into the shop and buy a cigar or cigarillo before trying it inside the Churchill’s cigar sampling room, alongside a dram of whisky if they choose to.
There is also a garden area to the rear of the premises.
Owner Darren Boyd-Preece said: “There is nothing else like Churchill’s in this area. Mind you, there was nowhere like The Dram locally until we opened two years ago! We like to offer quality new experiences for people.”
19 – Royal Himalayas, Eastbank Street, Southport town centre
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The Royal Himalayas restaurant opened at 133-135 Eastbank Street on 24th May.
It is the sister venue of the iconic Great Himalayas restaurant, which has won numerous national and regional awards since it opened at 665 Lord Street on 4th March 2020.
Owner Prakash Shahi said: “Our new restaurant is similar in style to the Great Himalayas, but with the addition of some new street food dishes and new food that diners can try.
“There are lots of great restaurants along Lord Street but not many on Eastbank Street, so we were very interested when this opportunity became available.”
20 – McDonald’s, Central 12 retail park
The new McDonald’s restaurant and takeaway at Central 12 Retail Park on Derby Road welcomed its first customers this summer.
It became the third McDonald’s in Southport, adding to the existing sites near Kew Retail Park and at Ocean Plaza Retail Park.
Central 12 announced in April that it was introducing a new policy of first two hours parking for free after taking over control of the car park from Sefton Council for the first time since the retail park opened 20 years ago.
The new McDonald’s moved into the former Royal Doulton site at Central 12, which had been vacant for the past 15 years.
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