Two successful publicans have sounded their excitement at opening a brand new micropub called The Bugle Tap in Southport town centre saying they’re “ready for a new challenge”.
David and Vicky Brown are aiming to open the new venue at 118 Lord Street, in the former Plaza Cards unit, in the new year.
The Bugle Tap will sell the finest cask and craft ales, German and Belgian beers, small batch spirits and single malts, and will be dog friendly.
David and Vicky Brown said: “We ran the Masons Arms for almost five years until September 2024.
“We took the Masons from a failing pub to one of the busiest and best in Southport.
“We were in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for three consecutive years and earned a CAMRA award for our quality of beer.
“We left the pub in September for a break and are now ready for a new challenge.
“We had two more pubs in England and one in Spain before the Masons.
“The opening will be some time after New Year as long as all goes well with the planning application and the work to be done.
“We love Southport and are keen to support the town by making a considerable investment in its future.”
Plaza Cards in Southport closed its doors for the last time on Saturday 20th January 2024 after more than 60 years trading.
David and Vicky are now eager to revitalise this empty building and bring new life to it, adding another new local independent business to Lord Street.
They have submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to convert the site into a new use.
It would involve the installation of a disabled toilet cubicle including a door, washbasin and w.c., the installation of bar counter, plus the removal and replacement of exterior Perspex signage to front.
The proposed opening hours are between midnight and 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 10pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
David and Vicky said: “We firstly viewed the property in January and after a long period of negotiations we managed to submit planning at the start of September.
“We are publicans with 20 years experience and think there is a need for an additional venue in Southport serving quality cask and craft ales, locally sourced where possible.
“We will also be serving locally crafted small batch gins, rums and whiskies.
“We will have four rotating cask ales, one permanent imported German lager and five rotating keg pumps which will include imported German, Belgian and Czech beers, also Sours, fruit and wheat beers.
“We will also offer an extensive range of bottled and canned local and imported beers.
“We are looking to create a laid back atmosphere with bodega / bierkeller vibes.
“As keen micropub users we often find ourselves looking further afield to Birkdale, Ainsdale, Hillside and Freshfield for a more unique offering and think we’re not the only ones doing so.
“Our intention is to keep like-minded people in Southport and to also attract more outsiders to the town with another quality cask ale venue.
“We live in Southport and have faith in the town and hope to play a part in its regeneration.
“As soon as we start work on the unit we will be sharing updates and progress photos on our social media pages The Bugle Tap Southport on Facebook and bugletapsouthport on Instagram.
We chose the name the Bugle Tap as we will be facing Southport War Memorial so it’s a nod to the playing of the Last Post.
“The design of the interior will be lots of old wood and dark walls with low lighting and lots of candles.
“It will be very atmospheric with a great background soundtrack.”
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