Retail and food businesses in Southport are being invited to become a part of the new Beales department store when it opens on Lord Street in Southport this August.
Beales Chief Executive Tony Brown is particularly keen to offer a concession to a local furniture outlet and a cafe.
He is keen to work with others with a good business idea, with the new store largely made up of concessions.
Building work and shop refitting is currently going on behind the doors of the landmark Lord Street building, part of the historic Wayfarers Arcade, ready for when it opens next month.
Beales will employ around 40 members of staff and is making a much-anticipated return to Southport following a total investment of around £800,000.
Beales closed its doors in March last year as the Covid pandemic hit the UK and the firm went into administration, the same month that Debenhams also closed in a double blow to Lord Street and to Southport. Beales operated 26 stores at the time.
The brand is now owned by New Start 2020 and headed up by Tony Brown, Chief Executive of the former Beales.
Last year he opened Beales in Poole, followed by Peterborough earlier this year with Southport due to be their third store.
Making Southport the firm’s third venture is a huge vote of confidence in the future of retail for the busy seaside resort.
Tony Brown said: “This is a new concept for Beales, one which we have launched in our stores in Poole and Peterborough where it has proved to be really successful.
“I honestly believe that customers want to see a local department store opening in Southport again.
“Around 90% of the new store will be concessions, and we have some exciting brands coming in.
“We had a queue of brands wanting to come to Southport, which is really positive.
“We have most of them already signed up, but are looking for a furniture concession to join us.
“In our stores in Poole and Peterborough we have reached out to local brands, and we are doing the same with Southport.
“If there is someone out there with a really good idea, maybe someone working from home making gifts or gift foods and they want somewhere to start up, then we can support them to do that.
“In Peterborough we have someone selling Bees Wrap, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to clingfilm. We also have someone selling Mexican tequila and gift foods.
“We encourage local businesses to come in and give it a go.”
Southport Business Improvement District (Southport BID) CEO Rachel Fitzgerald is encouraging people to support Beales when it opens this August.
She said: “There are many people who have confidence in Southport, both landlords and business owners.
“The reopening of Beales demonstrates the investment they are prepared to put into our town.
“It is our responsibility, local people, to continuously invest in our town so we all can enjoy the benefits of a thriving Southport.
“The success and prosperity of our town lies in our hands.”
- If you are interested in running a concession in Beales department store in Southport, please email: info@southportbid.com
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