Southport BID feature by Stand Up For Southport
A popular Southport café has unveiled a tasty afternoon tea – just for dogs!
It’s part of a paw-some start to life for Louise and Paul Heritage, who took over the Hoghton Lounge Bar in Southport town centre on 29th March.
They have since kept everything that the venue has become famous for over the years, including a strong commitment to quality, service, and customer satisfaction.
They have also introduced some exciting new additions including a new Main Menu, a new Kids’ Menu – and something that Southport’s canines will go crazy for.
The VIP (Very Important Paws) Afternoon Tea costs £10 and everything is in its very own box so you can treat your furry friends whenever you visit, or to grab as a takeaway for them to enjoy at home.
The box includes:
● Bark Burgers
● Paw Star Martini
● A pupcake
● Woof bar
There’s plenty for humans to enjoy too at the Lounge, which is situated at 11c Hoghton Street, very close to the Chapel Street centre of town and also in the ‘office quarter’ in the Hoghton Street area.
Visitors can call in for breakfasts, lunches, cakes and treats, hot and cold drinks, and luxury afternoon teas.
Hoghton Lounge Bar offers a bespoke outside catering service and is soon to be open for event hire.
Louise and Paul Heritage said: “It has been a very busy first few weeks for us – we’d like to thank everyone so much for popping in!
“We have really enjoyed meeting all of our amazing customers – loyal regulars to the café, and new visitors alike! We are so grateful for the warm welcome we have received from everyone.
“Something we noticed when we took over was how delighted customers were that the staff would be staying! It has been very clear to us how highly everyone thinks of our incredible team, and we can definitely see how special they make your visits to us.
“As Southport locals ourselves, we enjoyed many visits to Hoghton Lounge Bar before we became the new owners. The delicious food, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with the kind and helpful attitudes of the staff, is what drew us here.
“We both love meeting new people and having a good chat – as many of you have now discovered! If you haven’t been in to see us yet, please pop by to say hi!
“We want Hoghton Lounge Bar to continue to be a firm favourite of you all. Whether you’re coming in alone for some peace and quiet to enjoy a perfect cup of coffee, with friends to celebrate special occasions, or for a family outing (dogs are included), we can’t wait to meet you.
“We have exciting plans, some of which we have been busy putting into place.
“This is very much a dog friendly venue so we were excited to launch our VIP (Very Important Paws) Afternoon Tea!
“This is a very dog friendly venue, which is really popular. Southport is a very dog friendly town!
“We have dog treats that people can buy separately too along with dog drinks when they come in.
“We have iced pupcakes; bark bangers; paw star martinis; woof bars. Our dog menu is going down very well.
“Dogs are a big part of people’s families. Owners don’t want to have to always leave their dogs alone at home when they go out. Why should they miss out?
“If they can bring their dogs in here and have treats for them then great.
“This is such a relaxed space. Whether someone’s coming in here with their dog, or with their children, or with friends, or on their own, we want everyone to feel welcome.
“We’re keen for anyone who comes in with a book or a newspaper to sit down and feel at home.
“We welcome remote workers. Working from home can be great but sometimes it can get a little bit lonely and a change of scenery can be perfect for a little pick me up. We have some tables with plug sockets and we offer free wifi for all our customers.
“We are in the business sector in Southport, and people often call in with their laptops.
“I worked for Living Well Sefton before leaving in February, and then Paul and I have worked towards taking over here.
“A big part of my job there involved chatting with people and being friendly.
“We have a couple of big tables, so if anyone wants to come in with a reading group, or a knit and natter group, then come in and say hello. We are trying to make this a real hub of the community.
“Paul and I wanted to do something new and take on a new adventure, and we’re so glad we have. I always wanted to run a coffee shop when I was younger!
“The Hoghton Lounge Bar has become an important part of the local community and we want it to remain that way.
“It has been fabulous to see so many regulars coming in; and it’s been lovely seeing lots of new faces too.”
The menus have all been updated; popular favourites remain with some tasty new additions.
Louise and Paul said: “It is still early days, but we are keen to be really proactive and respond to what our customers want.
“We have just launched our new kids menu. There’s a really good choice for children, at any time of day.
“We have our breakfasts, our light bites – and kids love our pancakes!
“We also have mains such as pizza, pasta and sandwiches.
“They can also enjoy some really fun drinks such as mini milkshakes with flavours such as chocolate, strawberry or banana, while our special milkshake flavours include Nutella, Kinder or Oreo.
“If they prefer hot drinks, they can go for babychino, mini hot chocolate or Nutella hot chocolate.
“It follows the launch of the new Main Menu in February, which also offers plenty of delicious choices.
“It has dishes such as our famous brunches; Bacon Benedict; Eggs Royale; Mushroom Benedict; soup of the day; Welsh Rarebit; hot and cold sandwiches; pancakes; salads; hot and cold drinks.
“Our chefs Nick and Jason have the freedom to come up with specials. They’ve been brilliant.
“Hoghton Lounge Bar is licensed so as well as hot and cold drinks and things like smoothies, you can also have something like a wine, a beer or a cider with your lunch.
“Our afternoon teas are very popular. That is something we really wanted to carry on.
“We are now offering doorstep delivery afternoon teas, for people at home or at work.
“They’re perfect for anyone unable to visit us at Hoghton Lounge or who likes the idea of a gorgeous treat delivered to their doorstep to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
“We offer this for £15 delivery for one or £29.95 delivery for two plus a delivery charge between £3-£4.00 area dependent, which we do up until 4.30pm Monday-Saturday and up until 3.30pm Sundays.
“We need at least 48 hours notice for our afternoon teas as we make them fresh.
“We just want people to know we are here!
“We are busy making small improvements all the time and want to make Hoghton Lounge Bar a well-established venue.”
● The Hoghton Lounge is at 11c Hoghton Street, Southport. Call 01704512214.
● Email hello@hoghtonlounge.co.uk
● Like the Hoghton Lounge page on Facebook and Hoghton Lounge Bar Instagram: @hoghtonlounge_
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
