By Sophie Swain
A new independent music and film memorabilia shop has opened in the growing Market Quarter in Southport.
Lectric Eye Memorabilia is owned by Graham Warwick and Mandi Wilson, they were previously based in St John’s Market in Liverpool.
After St John’s Market was shut by Liverpool City Council, they decided to move their business of six years to Southport.
The new shop opened on Market Street two weeks ago, Graham said at the moment business is ‘up and down’.
He said one of the struggles is getting people to know where they are.
However, Graham loves the location.
He said: “It’s a funky and chilled street, such a good atmosphere to work in.
“Everyone is nice and friendly and we’re opposite Southport Market which is good.”
Graham has been collecting film and music memorabilia for as long as he can remember – one of the problems about owning the business is that he wants to ‘keep everything which comes in’.
They sell everything from Ozzy Osbourne vintage tour programmes to old cassette tapes and posters.
The couple moved the shop to Southport to give Lectric Eye another shot.
“We thought we’d give it a try.
“Southport is a chilled and laid-back place. Everyone is friendly and all the customers who are coming in are becoming friends.
“I can talk a lot and everyone seems interested,” Graham joked.
Graham said it was challenging owning an independent business but described the process as ‘what you make it’.
“The more you put in, the more you get out.”
Graham and Mandi are excited to continue their new business venture in Southport.
Lectric Eye Memorabilia is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm, based at 24 Market Street.
You can follow them on X here: https://x.com/Mandi_Minx
They are part of the Southport Market Quarter area which has seen several local independents open since the transformation of Southport Market into a new food, drink and events venue during a £1.4 million revamp in 2021.
Sefton Council is due to pedestrianise Market Street this Autumn in a bid to attract even more visitors to the area, while work continues on the nearby Southport Enterprise Arcade.
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