An ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of locally-crafted hand-made goods has opened in Southport town centre.
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks, adding to the eclectic range of stores already present in the bustling Victorian arcade.
The hub is owned by local artists Dana Howard and Mandy Bevington and sells goods from 14 local artists.
Mandy is a growingly recognised textile designer, whose decorative work was featured in an exhibition at Arthouse in Southport earlier this year.
Many people will also recognise Dana Howard, from her time owning the successful Doodles Craft Room on Wesley Street in Southport.
Together the two friends have created a shop that is rich in variety, creativity and artistic flair that will appeal to people of all ages.
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
They can find works of art; clothes; jewellery; bath bombs; painted worry rocks; toys; felted products; crochet; haberdashery; and much more besides. Customers can also buy specially personalised gifts, perfect for something unique with Christmas getting closer.
The idea for the shop came from a post in the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group.
John Savage, who runs the MIH Bazaar shop opposite Creative Hub Southport, posted into the group asking people what type of shop they would most like to see open in Southport town centre?
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Haberdashery was one of the most common answers and the friends began talking about opening a shop together.
Mandy said: “I came down to Cambridge Arcade and spoke with John, and he showed me a vacant shop unit which was available. I thought it had real potential.
“I went away and contacted my friend Dana, who I had got to know through being at various craft fairs together.
“We met for a coffee and took things from there.
“There really is something for everyone here.”
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Dana Howard is delighted to be open and able to welcome past customers from Doodles Craft Room, as well as meeting new ones.
She opened Doodles, which she describes as ‘a really good business model’, in 2019 just as the Covid pandemic hit. The venture was open for 18 months – but that included seven months being closed due to lockdowns.
Dana is delighted with the location of the new shop.
She said: “Cambridge Arcade and Cambridge Walks is a very Bohemian place now. It has something for everyone! We are really pleased to be adding to that.
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
“People who come to Southport come to find good independent shops that can offer a bit of quality, and something unique and a little bit different.
“It is a real treasure trove here, a real Aladdin’s Cave.
“We have 14 different traders exhibiting their works. They are all from the Southport area. The only one not from Southport is an artist from Crosby, who creates amazing art using stamps.
“We just encourage people to come in and have a look around at what we have got.
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
“People walk into Cambridge Walks, see the great Cranberry’s coffee shop at the end, and then walk inside the arcade and see what else is inside, and they think ‘wow’. I absolutely love this building.”
The arcade has filled up in recent months with some great new tenants. Lots is happening nearby too which will attract more people into Southport town centre.
Last summer saw the nearby Southport Market open after a £1.4million investment; Southport Enterprise Arcade, above Cambridge Walks, is due to open next year; the former BHS department store is currentlybeing transformed; Sefton Council has pledged £400,000 to renovate the Victorian canopy in Cambridge Arcade; and work is progressing to improve local streets such as Eastbank Street, Chapel Street and Market Street.
Creative Hub Southport has opened in Cambridge Walks in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Dana said: “There is lots of regeneration work happening in this area of Southport town centre, and it feels really good to be part of it.
“When Southport Enterprise Arcade opens and the improvements take place on the streets around here, this area is just going to get better and better.”
People can follow Mandy Bevington Designs on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and Doodles Craft Room on Facebook and Instagram.
- Creative Hub Southport in Cambridge Walks in Southport town centre is open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
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