The opening date has been revealed for the new Occulo Lounge in Southport town centre.
It will open its doors on Wednesday, 7th June, with the informal café bar being open all day, every day for long, lazy breakfasts, sociable brunches and lunches, and relaxed dinners and drinks.
The family-friendly and dog-friendly venture is opening in the former Waterstones bookshop site on the corner of Lord Street and Nevill Street.
It is part of the current resurgence on Lord Street, which saw The Grand open last year after a £4 million transformation with Maverick’s Bar opening last month.
Building work is currently taking place on a new climbing gym and cafe and the former Garrick Theatre / Mecca Bingo site while a new bar is due to open soon near to the junction with Scarisbrick Avenue.
The opening of the new Occulo Lounge will create 30 new jobs.
Loungers UK Ltd has invested £1 million in transforming the historic three-storey building, which was constructed in 1925-7.
It will open seven days a week, with vegan and gluten-free menus available.
Loungers UK Ltd says that it “operates from many listed buildings throughout the country and so is well aware of the requirements to retain as much of the historic fabric as possible”.
Occulo means ‘relating to the eye or the sense of vision’.
A Planning statement prepared by the firm said: “Loungers UK Limited operates over 190 sites across the country.
“The Lounges are all uniquely designed, with an emphasis on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for families (as well as four legged friends).
“The aim of every Lounge is to tie in with local customers, so that they can make of the Lounge what they will; whether a customer wants to come in for a coffee after dropping children to school, a working lunch, or a tipple after work, Lounges can provide an environment for all these purposes.
“As well as these everyday activities, each site will be tied in with local charities and initiatives. “Also, they will run reading groups, young mum’s support groups, Christmas initiatives as well as a number of others.
“Each new site will generate in the region of 30 new jobs for the local community across a variety of roles – from leadership positions to front of house staff. These staff will also have available to them a very high standard of training with regards to health and safety, licensing etc which will help prepare them for other positions in the future.”
The landmark building is a former bank – one of a number of very grand bank buildings which once dominated Lord Street.
It was constructed in 1925-7 and was designed by Palmer & Holden, in association with Finchett, Lancaster & Archer of London.
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