The owners of the new Gemini Lounge in Southport say they want to create “something special inside that matches its grand exterior”.
The new restaurant and bar is due to open its doors inside the iconic Old Bank building at 253-255 Lord Street.
Banners have now appeared on railings outside the building promnoting the new Gemini Lounge while a gemini_lounge_southport Instagram page has been set up.
The owner said: “As a Southport resident myself I have always loved this building and believed it needed something special inside to match the grand exterior, which I personally don’t think has ever been done correctly, certainly not in my lifetime anyway.
“So it’s in our plans to finally do the building justice.
“It’s needed a lot of work inside to bring it back to life which the team are currently ongoing with.
“Progress pictures will be posted in the coming weeks on our Gemini Lounge Southport social media sites.
“We plan to open at the end of November or early December as a vibrant stylish bar with a strict dress code and over 21 policy.
“We aim to be an upmarket establishment and make it an experience and nice environment that people want to frequent.
“Gemini Lounge will be fitted with new seating throughout, complete new decor and lots more.
“With plans to open early 2024 as a restaurant also with more details regarding the restaurant to follow in due course.
“We look forward to opening the doors and inviting you all in for a Christmas drink.”
Gemini Lounge is getting ready to open after the previous business at the site, ‘The Old Bank’, closed its doors last year after a few months’ trading.
Banners proclaim it as ‘Southport’s new stylish bar and restaurant’.
It is part of a noticeable resurgence along Lord Street, with recent new ventures including The Grand, Maverick’s, Occulo Lounge, The Auld Dubliner and others.
Work is currently taking place to transform The Garrick, Wetherspoon has plans to open a 28-bed hotel, a new climbing centre and cafe is set to open next year while The Grand is due to add Harry’s Bar and the Sky Bar to its offering.
The Old Bank is one of the grandest buildings in Southport, and one of its most noticeable landmarks.
Grade II Listed, the former National Westminster Bank was built in Classical style in 1922 with imposing Roman columns, in the style of an old Roman temple.
It was occupied by Pizza Express for several years until the chain announced in August 2020 that it was to be among 73 of its UK branches to be closed due to the impact of the Covid pandemic.
The Old Bank then opened in November 2021 until it closed last year.
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