New life is set to be breathed into one of Southport’s most historic buildings as Sefton Council looks to launch our town’s first ever purpose-built workspace for start-up businesses.
The local authority’s Cabinet will meet next week where it is expected to formally approve plans to transform the Crown Buildings on Eastbank Street in Southport town centre into a high tech, collaborative and affordable workspace for small businesses, dubbed the ‘Enterprise Arcade.’
Forming part of the Southport Town Deal, £1.5 million has been earmarked for the regeneration and transformation of Crown Buildings, eventually creating a purpose-built 15,000sq ft hub for individuals, freelancers, enterprises, and independent professionals who are taking their first steps into setting up their own businesses.
The Enterprise Arcade project is yet another cornerstone in the Southport Town Deal programme, reaffirming the commitment of Sefton Council and its partners to kickstart the previously untapped digital, creative and technological sectors within the resort.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “This is a key project for the regeneration and economic diversification of Southport’s economy.
“The Enterprise Arcade will incorporate Crown Buildings, vacant retail units on the ground floor of Eastbank Street and adjoining office space above.
“Nationally we are seeing a move away from traditional working environments and more and more people are embracing flexible and hybrid work opportunities.
“Our Enterprise Arcade will be the ideal location for a whole host of start-up and growing businesses and individuals, whether they be in the early incubator stages of developing their brand or simply in need of flexibility and an agile approach to their working practices.
“Furthermore the Enterprise Arcade will be able to collaborate and integrate with the already exceptional cultural and educational services provided at The Atkinson, promoting and supporting the development of a focused creative and digital sector in the heart of Southport town centre.”
Liverpool based architects K2 have been appointed to develop the feasibility designs for the Enterprise Arcade space.
Procurement for detailed design work will commence later this year.
Sefton Council’s Cabinet will meet on Thursday, 7th October to discuss the proposals and next steps for this exciting project.
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