The Old Bank in Southport is opening its doors this weekend!
One of Southport’s most iconic venues has enjoyed a £100,000 transformation with the creation of 24 new jobs.
The venue will be open from 11am each morning and into the night, with a delicious menu that makes the most of the venue’s top quality pizza ovens.
The Old Bank will be open to members of the public to enjoy from 11am this Saturday (20th November), following a VIP opening night tonight.
The new bar and restaurant is owned by Alexandra Myhill and Bernie Snagg, who have worked hard to create something new and exciting for our town.
Two amazing pieces of street art adorn the walls. One features Sean Connery as James Bond, from the movie Goldfinger, above the bar. Another is a huge, colourful portrait of The Queen next to the mezzanine area, tying in with The Old Bank theme.
Guests can enjoy a choice of tasty pizza with flavours including margherita, pepperoni, four cheese, Italian sausage, meat feast, Pacific or puttanesca.
Salads include classic caprese, Caesar or hot smoked salmon, while there are a choice of sides such as skin on fries, parmesan fries, garlic pizza and pizza oven roast potatoes.
Bar bites include Amaranto olives, baked focaccia and crispy gnocchi, with starters including calamari, stuffed baked figs and tempura courgette planks.
There are an incredible 18 draught beers and ciders on tap, with an extensive wine list, a selection of spirits and a range of cocktails.
The Old Bank Social Media and Events Manager Amber Sardinha said: “We have got a really exciting and diverse new look in the Old Bank.
“We are looking forward to opening our doors to people from 11am this Saturday.
“During the day it will be a great space for families to enjoy and a perfect space to eat, with more of a bar atmosphere at night. We will have a DJ in here every Friday and Saturday.
“In terms of food, we are going to be offering some superb pizzas, salads, bar snacks and starters.
“We have taken a lot of care over our kids’ menu. A lot of places sacrifice the quality of the food when it comes to children. Here they can enjoy great quality, just in smaller sizes.
“We are also offering drinks packages for people, with things such as bottles of fizz or house spirits. They are great for groups of people who are enjoying their night out in one of our booths.”
The furniture inside is comfortable and stylish, with lots of booths on the ground floor.
There is a VIP area on the mezzanine level which can be hired for events.
The style of the decor is colourful, fun, modern and vibrant.
Amber said: “The decor we have gone for is contrasting colours, and very bright.
“We want to bring a new, modern perspective of what a bar should be.
“Our mezzanine area will be used for private hire, functions, Christenings, hen parties, Christmas nights out, or networking events, which we will look to start in the new year.
“We are getting lots of bookings for Christmas nights out at the moment, and we still have space to accommodate more.
“Lots of businesses are busy over Christmas so we are hosting some work Christmas parties for people in January.”
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 has been empty since Pizza Express 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.
It is great to see this impressive building opening again, with new jobs, under new ownership.
Amber said: “This building really stands out on Lord Street!
“We are lucky to be able to open just before Christmas, with the beautiful Christmas tree opposite us being installed earlier this week. Hopefully it should attract lots of people who are going to see it to come in.
“Being situated right at the heart of Lord Street we really stand out too due to our location. You could notice the empty gap that was here before we arrived.
“People are really looking forward to The Old Bank opening. There has already been a lot of excitement about the news on social media. There is a real buzz.
“This place does have a lot of nostalgia for people in Southport.
“We have made decorational changes in here, but we have done our research into what Southport people want.
“We discovered there was a real gap that we can fill to bring people something new. There are exciting times ahead.”
This evening, Sandgrounder Radio will be broadcasting a special programme from The Old BankVIP night, ahead of its official opening tomorrow.
Andy Hilbert, Claire Simmo and James Owen will be there to soak up the atmosphere and find out more about this amazing new venue coming to Southport’s Lord Street.
Listen from 8pm this evening.
The Old Bank is at 253 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1NY.
Opening times:
Sun – Tues 11am – 10pm
Wed – Sat 11am – 12am
T – 01512451550
E – enquiries@theoldbanksouthport.co.uk
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