A growing architecture firm is keen to play its part in the regeneration of Southport – and has some big ideas on how the town could attract new visitors.
Clayton Architecture Limited, based in Southport, has already completed hundreds of projects in the area from high-end celebrity clients to smaller family homes, from eye-catching extensions to bespoke new builds.
You may have noticed some of their striking work at locations including Waterloo Road in Birkdale, Hillside Road in Hillside and Montagu Road in Formby, while substantial new projects include the iconic Cains Brewery building in Liverpool.
They also worked on the recent renovation and rebranding of The Bold Hotel, part of the ‘Northern Quarter’ regeneration of Lord Street which is attracting so much interest around the UK.
Clayton Architecture Limited director Joseph Clayton said: “We have worked on over 300 projects with clients ranging from homeowners, businesses, investors and developers. We are looking to expand and diversify our portfolio and work on some larger schemes along the Sefton coast.
“Any project which would work towards the regeneration and improvement of Southport’s economy or even just help to preserve its buildings would be an amazing opportunity to be involved with.
The Bold Hotel in Southport
“We discussed the under-utilisation of Southport Pier and the large expanse of paving on the seafront.
“With a little creativity, that space could easily be used for temporary pop-up events which would bring a lot of life to Southport’s seafront. This style of Architecture is something which is currently thriving given the current pandemic.
“Temporary outdoor seating and business adaptation has become the life-line for the hospitality and leisure sectors. This design principle is being implemented in one of Liverpool’s busiest independent streets through Liverpool BID’s ‘Without Walls on Bold Street’. If more design solutions and local investments like this were available it would enable growth within our towns and cities by utiltising existing opportunities, I feel like the area surrounding Southport Pier provides the perfect location for this sort of intervention.”
Ongoing works for the firm include multiple home extensions, a number of bespoke new builds across Sefton and West Lancashire, a large high-spec property renovation on Waterloo Road in Birkdale, opposite Royal Birkdale Golf Course, which many passers-by will be familiar with and a minimalist and modern extension to a Grade 2 Listed cottage in North Wales. The cottage surrounded by its own private woodland, would not look out of place on Grand Designs.
Clayton Architecture Limited transformed this home on Kettering Road in Southport
Clayton Architecture Limited specialises in transforming old-fashioned homes into bright, modern dream homes, saving the need for people to move house.
Staffed by young, creative talents, they have a modern eye for design and are constantly investing in the latest technology. This enables them to produce a range of 3D visuals to suit any project and can also create a virtual reality experience for clients.
They have completed: home renovations; small scale developments and one-off new builds; residential extensions and modernisation; commercial developments and change of use; landscape design; interior design; and more. They take care of everything throughout the planning process including all the paperwork involved when dealing with the local planning authorities.
Their attention to detail, quick turnaround times and competitive pricing have gained them a growing number of clients mainly in the Southport, Ainsdale, Birkdale and Formby areas, but they have also completed projects around the UK.
Clayton Architecture Limited transformed this home on Dunbar Road in Hillside in Southport. Image supplied by CDS Build
With a strong community ethos, they have also enjoyed lending their expertise for free to local community projects in Southport.
Clayton Architecture Limited founder Joseph Clayton said: “We are proud to create strong ties within our local community.
“We have carried out works for free for Southport Cycling Club and Hillside Lawn Tennis Club and have a great connection with Southport College. We regularly employ students from their Foundation and National Diploma courses and help those students find the right career path into University.
“I founded Clayton Architecture Limited in 2015. Initially, we were a new company which was operating under the radar. We were based at a kitchen table. As our reputation grew we began taking on lots of new projects, mainly through word of mouth and recommendations. Which was great, especially as a new business, as the first 12 months can be crucial.
The purpose-designed Clayton Architecture Limited office at 648 Liverpool Road in Ainsdale in Southport.
“Our success means we have grown rapidly and we now have a small team of five staff members, and have moved into a purpose-designed office at 648 Liverpool Road in Ainsdale in Southport.
“This is our own investment property, bought and renovated by us in 2019 to create our first fixed base. As staff numbers and project size grew we simply needed a more permanent residence. The property was originally a three bedroom house however we have undertaken extensive works to remove all of the ground floor walls and form a bright, inviting, open plan office space.
“I have grown up here, in Southport, and while other architects tend to move to the big cities I wanted to stay local and play a big part in my local community.
“The location was key. I did not intend to operate like a conventional Architecture Practice, I wanted to be a visible presence in the community and not tucked away down a side street or up a tower block. Our office is open and inviting, a spot where staff feel connected to the village and people could walk past and see what we do.
One of the homes transformed by Clayton Architecture Limited in Southport involving an open plan, modern kitchen, dining and living extension
“I went away to study at The University of Huddersfield (BA int), University of Liverpool (MArch) and University of Chester (ADPPA) but I knew that Southport was the place I wanted to come back and establish the company. I want to be involved in the future growth of our area.”
One of the focuses of the current Southport Town Deal and Southport Master Plan process, which is looking to secure £25million regeneration funding for the resort, is to try and retain young, creative, professional people and companies to grow the prosperity of the area.
Joseph Clayton and Clayton Architecture Limited is the perfect example of what can be achieved as they continue to grow, both in terms of the number of employees they have, but also in their rapidly-expanding number of projects.
Joseph said: “We are constantly re-investing in ourselves and the latest technology which enables us to produce a range of 3D visuals. For those really special projects, we can also create a virtual reality experience.
“We want to keep working with private residential homeowners who are looking for that really special extension or bespoke new build.
“We have worked with a lot of private clients and delivered some extremely special and unique work. The high end residential sector is certainly our main speciality at this moment and it’s an aspect that my staff and I really enjoy being a part of.
“As an architect those are the projects where we can really test our creativity and push our boundaries.”
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