The owners of Southport Bijou Cinema say they are “happy, humbled and hungover!” after winning the Hidden Gem accolade at the 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.
The independent cinema, on Post Office Avenue in Southport town centre, won the only category that was voted for by members of the public.
It was a superb shortlist for Southport, with four of the town’s venues named as finalists in the top 10.
Southport Bijou Cinema was joined on the night by Silcock’s Carousel on the Promenade, Tik Taco restaurant on Coronation Walk and Cranberry’s cafe in Cambridge Walks.
Southport Bijou Cinema Manager Andy Harrison said: “We did it! The Liverpool City Region’s Best Hidden Gem!
“Thank you to absolutely everyone: our audience, those who voted, those who’ve supported us from the start and of course, the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards and The Guide Liverpool for an amazing awards night in a beautiful venue!
“We are just beyond happy, humbled, and in lieu of a better, third H word for the alliteration, hungover.
“Well done to all those nominated and who won, you’re all amazing! We’re so proud we could bring something back to Southport!”
The 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards were held at Liverpool Cathedral and were organised by Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region.
Southport Bijou Cinema is run by Andy Harrison and Lewis Simpson, two Edge Hill University alumni who are building a community for cinephiles in their hometown of Southport.
Southport Bijou Cinema is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which got off the ground when they met Mike Lockwood at Southport MovieMakers, a small but enthusiastic amateur film and video production club in the town.
Mike had a dream to see the Bijou come to life. He had been campaigning for a community cinema in Southport for many years but had struggled to find a suitable location until the building, formerly used as a bar and restaurant, went up for sale.
Planning permission to convert the building into a cinema was granted in 2017 and the Southport Bijou Cinema opened to the public in October 2019.
Just five months later, the Covid-19 pandemic meant the cinema had to close temporarily when it had been starting to find its feet.
Mike sadly passed away in 2021 and now Lewis and Andy continue to grow the cinema in memory of their friend.
For more information about the Southport Bijou Cinema, please visit: https://southportbijoucinema.co.uk/.
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