The opening date has been revealed for the new Waterstones bookshop in Southport!
The new store will open in the former 5,614 sq ft Peacocks site at 59 Chapel Street in Southport town centre, opposite Southport Train Station, this Friday (26th August 2022).
It is situated between River Island and Hays Travel.
The former Waterstones shop, which has stood on the corner of Lord Street and Nevill Street for many years, has now closed as the process of transferring thousands of books from one site to the other takes place.
Speaking on the Stand Up For Southport Facebook group, Katie Lovett said: “I loved the other building, it was beautiful. Hopefully this will be a huge success though.”
Roz Mobbs said: “Sounds like exciting new plans ahead. I love Waterstones and I hope they add a cafe to their new premises when they move.”
Waterstones has been approached for comment.
The former Waterstones building will soon be transformed into a new Lounge restaurant, operated by Loungers UK Ltd, with a £1million investment creating 30 new jobs.
Seeing the new Waterstones bookshop open this Friday will represent further investment in Chapel Street, with another empty unit filled, as the road enjoys a renaissance.
Building work on the upper floors of the former BHS department store, which was vacant for six and a half years, will begin this September. The work will see the creation of 30 new apart hotel rooms and a rooftop terrace, with a cafe, a pub and new retail units on the ground floor.
The former HMV store further down Chapel Street is currently being converted into a new Barnardo’s charity shop.
Sefton Council has committed £400,000 into revamping Cambridge Arcade.
Last year saw the opening of new businesses including One Below, The Fragrance Store and Hugo Lounge.
A Waterstones spokesperson said: “We are delighted to confirm that we have found a great new home for our Southport bookshop!
“The new bookshop will be located on nearby Chapel Street and offer a thoughtfully curated selection of books and gifts.
“The bookselling team can’t wait to welcome their customers into the beautiful new bookshop.”
In June, Loungers UK Ltd submitted a planning application for the current Waterstones site with a £1million investment due to create 30 new jobs.
Waterstones says it is due to move after its landlord gave the firm intent to serve notice on its current location at 367 Lord Street.
However, the firm is committed to keeping a bookshop in the town.
The landmark building on the corner of Lord Street and Nevill Street was constructed in 1925-7 and was designed by Palmer & Holden, in association with Finchett, Lancaster & Archer of London.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
