The Carlton bar in Southport has now reopened after an extensive seven month refurbishment.
Customers can enjoy a very different looking bar, an attractive outdoor area – and a huge giraffe!
The towering giraffe sculpture is one of many changes at the iconic venue on Lord Street, which has long been famous for its beer garden, its live music and its location right at the heart of the town centre.
The venue is owned by localsbusinessman Carl White, who also owns The Avenue and The Chop House on Scarisbrick Avenue.
He said: “We would like to welcome you back to The Carlton!
“We had our soft opening last week. We are open Wednesday to Sunday, with live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting tomorrow from 3pm-8pm.
“We’ve had a great response to the new look, and have had a lot of enquiries regarding bookings for Fridays and Saturdays, however we have decided to stick to walk-ins only.
“So come and pop down and take a look at what we’ve done to the place.”
The relaunch has seen a total of 22 new jobs being created.
Guests will be wowed by The Carlton’s new look, with lots of surprises in store.
Older residents will remember the venue as The Red Rum Hotel.
People will be able to enjoy a tasty variety of food when they visit, with a choice of sharing platters and other dishes.
Among the things which will set the Carlton apart will be the quality of the venue and the experience – which will include table service.
Carl said: “We are looking forward to keeping our famous table service for our customers to enjoy.
“It is something we started at The Carlton during the Covid pandemic, when social distancing was so important for everyone.
“It is something our customers enjoy so we are going to keep it when we reopen for 90% of the time, with the exception of Saturday nights, when we get really busy.
The Carlton bar in Southport
“It will be a seated table service, different to anything else Southport has to offer.
“We are also recruiting new staff. If anyone would like to get in touch, please message us via The Carlton Facebook page or email us at: carltonsouthport@gmail.com.
“We are offering very good salaries for bar staff. We want the very best people in Southport to enjoy working here with us.”
When the sun is out, there is nowhere better to be in town than The Carlton outdoor area. Visitors will notice some pleasant changes.
Carl said: “The outdoor area will look brand new. We have new outdoor furniture, new artificial turf, and new festoon lighting.
“We are becoming known in Southport more for our outdoor offering than indoors.”
Lots of work has been carried out inside the bar too, with people due to notice a big difference in how it looks.
Carl said: “We have moved the bar, so it is now more user friendly when you come in. It was quite awkward the way it was before.
“It is much more workable as a bar now which will make it a more pleasant experience for people.
“All the pillars inside the bar have been removed too.
“We want to offer customers high end drinks with good quality brands at reasonable prices.”
The reopening of The Carlton is another great boost for Lord Street, which is enjoying a real renaissance.
The Grand (the former Grand Casino) opened last week following a £3million transformation. New owners are also in the process of converting the former Garrick Theatre, the Pavilion Buildings and the former Debenhams site into new uses.
Carl said: “There is a really good buzz about Southport at the moment.
“The town feels like there is lots going on, with a lot of investment coming in.”
For more details please Follow The Carlton Facebook page.
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