The beautiful former Garrick Theatre building in Southport has been sold!
The historic art deco building has been empty since Mecca Bingo announced in April that they would not be reopening their doors after being closed for a number of months during lockdown.
The news was met with shock and sadness by the hundreds of people who enjoyed regular bingo nights at the venue.
The magnificent art deco building on Garrick Parade, just off the Lord Street boulevard, was built in 1932 and once hosted world famous stars of stage and screen including Julie Andrews, Laurel and Hardy and many others.
After the closure of Mecca Bingo in April it faced an uncertain future and was put up for sale with independent property consultancy Allsop.
A Save The Garrick theatre Southport campaign was started on Facebook by Jonathan Lightfoot, who wanted local people to give their support to safeguard the future of one of Southport’s greatest landmarks.
Allsop placed a guide price of between £700,00 and £750,000 on the building, and was due to place it in an auction this week.
But the firm said it was “inundated” with offers, with one of them accepted by the owner leading to its subsequent removal from the auction list.
It is not yet known who the new owner is, or what their plans are for the site.
In Stand Up For Southport earlier this year, a number of local people called for it to be reopened as a theatre, while Southport Theatre & Convention Centre is rebuilt. Others called for it to become a casino; a pub; a cinema; or a gym. The former ABC Cinema across the road was converted into apartments three decades ago, and some suggested it could become a new living space.
It is further great news for Southport this year, which is enjoying a boom in investment following the announcement by the Government of £38.5million funding for Southport through Town Deal.
Since then, Beales department store opened on Lord Street; Mikhail Hotel & Leisure Group bought the former Grand Casino building on Lord Street and announced plans for an exclusive wedding and hotel venue; and Southport Market was converted into a new food, drink and events venue. Bliss Investment Partners revealed its blueprint to transform The Waterfront site, while Wetherspoon is set to open a new Wetherspoon Hotel inside the Pavilion Building on Lord Street.
The beautiful four-storey Garrick Theatre building was made famous by artist Fortunino Matania’s iconic ‘Southport In Wintertime’ travel poster.
It was built in 1932 and designed by architect George Tonge.
The news of Mecca Bingo’s departure from the site was met with a huge response, with 300 comments in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group and over 250 on the Mecca Bingo Southport Facebook page.
In April Mecca Bingo announced that its premises in Southport would not be reopening after the national Covid-19 lockdown ended.
The bingo hall has entertained many thousands of guests for eyes down inside one of Lord Street’s grandest buildings.
Mecca Bingo Operations Director John Dyson said: “Mecca Southport has been a part of the local community for many years and we want to say a huge thank you to every single one of our incredible customers for their loyalty and support – we will miss you very much.
“Farewell from all of the Team at Mecca Southport.”
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