Wayfarers Arcade sponsored feature by Stand Up For Southport
An exciting new venture is going full steam ahead towards opening inside historic Wayfarers Arcade in Southport.
The Junction will open its doors inside the former Multiyork unit on the ground floor on Saturday 31st May 2025 with all welcome.
It will also herald later opening hours for Wayfarers Arcade, which will now see the main entrance open until 8pm on selected days.
It follows more cause for celebration at Wayfarers Arcade, which saw two businesses win honours at the Southport BID Your Southport Stars Awards.
The Engine Room won the Innovation Award while LM Beauty won the Beauty Business Of The Year Award.
Dr Eric Lybeck from Wayfarers Arcade said:
“Opening on Saturday 31st May, The Junction is going to be a laid-back spot for you to meet with friends, enjoy a drink and some nibbles as well as delicious ice creams.
“Seating will flow out into the arcade itself, so you will be able to enjoy the warmer evenings under the incredible glass canopy.
“The Junction will be a pop-up venue to ensure we’re catering to what folks want before we nail things down.
“We already have the excellent Pudding & Pie food outlet inside Wayfarers Arcade as well as The Engine Room on the first floor, and we want The Junction to provide a unique offering which complements them.
“Pudding & Pie is creating a unique tapas menu as well.
“We’ll be able to offer inside and outside seating, with tables and chairs and deckchairs outside in the arcade.
“We were delighted to see the Engine Room win the Innovation Award at the recent Southport BID Your Southport Stars Awards, which was awarded specifically for the role we are playing in the regeneration of the arcade and in Southport town centre.
“We have invented a positive new way of re-activating heritage buildings.
“A week after winning the award, we are already moving ahead with another new addition to the arcade – The Junction.
“It’s going to be a beautiful new space, with a great atmosphere. Customers will be able to enjoy Persian cakes from Nooshe Bakery in Manchester; beer from Neptune Brewery in Bootle; wine; coffee from 92 degrees; baked goods and bread from Lagom Bakery; Longridge ice creams. We approach every supplier relationship as a partnership and we’re always on the lookout for the best local products in the area.
“On the menu we will have dishes such as Raclette; avocado and kimchi toast; Ploughman’s lunch; a trio of salads.
“In the evening, during summer, people will now be able to sit inside or outside The Junction until 8pm.
“The Junction itself will be open between 12pm and 8pm Thursday to Saturday.
“The Lord Street entrance of Wayfarers Arcade will be open until 8pm on those days, with the Engine Room Speakeasy on West Street at the back of the arcade accessible until 10pm.”
Claire Mills, owner of Mills Interiors in Wayfarers Arcade, has been busy designing the look of The Junction. She said:
“When Eric and I sat down and he told me his vision for The Junction, I encapsulated it all in a mood board and have been working hard on it ever since.
“It will be botanical in theme, while also influenced by the heritage of Wayfarers Arcade, and with spaces for communication, and community.
“I used the deckchairs to build a cohesive scheme for the space.
“I saw an opportunity to enlist the very talented artists we have based in Wayfarers Arcade, and this unit will showcase their work as part of the arcade community.
“This is a large unit, and I wanted to break up the space by colour.
“There will be a snug area for people who want to relax and stay longer, which includes a games area for adults.
“There will also be a high tea area, which could be used for events such as baby showers, or business meetings.
“There will be merchandise on display and on sale courtesy of local makers.
“There are some fantastic coffee shops in Southport so we have to create something very different, with its own unique signature, to stand out.
“It is starting out as a pop-up, so when it opens it will be imperfectly perfect.
“We have foraged some furniture from inside the former Beales department store; we have bought some furniture from the Royal Arcade on Lord Street.
“We will have a stage, so will be able to engage with local musicians and performers.
“We are creating a space which has a nod to the opulence of the architecture inside Wayfarers Arcade.
“I want people to be really excited for the new space. I want everyone to enjoy the ambience, and the great menu.
“Come along and see what you think!”
For more details visit: civedcic@gmail.com or visit: www.wayfarersarcade.co.uk
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