The thriving Wine & Words by Watson venue in Southport is looking forward to celebrating its first birthday.
Wine & Words by Watson is a unique combination of a wine bar, bookshop and coffee shop and has become a huge hit since opening at 423-425 Lord Street on 15th August 2025 – it blossomed on the opening day of last year’s Southport Flower Show.
It’s a stunning building inside and out, home to the ornate former Manchester & County Bank with a beautiful ceiling to admire. You can discover more when they take part in the Southport Heritage Open Days Festival this September.
Owners James and Portia Watson celebrated winning two prestigious awards at the 2026 Your Southport Stars Awards run by Southport BID earlier this year.
They took home the New Business of the Year Award; and also picked up the Café or Coffee Shop of the Year (Business Leaders Award).
Wine & Words by Watson has become the place to go for author events, book signings, poetry nights, cheese and wine evenings, book clubs and more, with tickets selling out within minutes for some occasions.
Their first anniversary will take place this Saturday (15th August 2026) with people invited to call in throughout the day. A private event is taking place during the evening.
Wine & Words is once again looking forward to a busy August, with local artist Caroline Ascroft of CA Interior Designs having just created window art that depicts Southport Flower Show (20th-23rd August 2026) and Southport Air Show (29th-30th August 2026).
This year the venue has enjoyed a front row seat for some spectacular major new events, such as Lightport (14th-16 February) and the Big Top Festival (2nd-3rd May 2026), with Books Alive! Next up on 24th-31st October 2026.
Wine & Words by Watson owner James Watson said:
“It’s our first anniversary coming up this Saturday (15th August) and we’d love to see people calling in to mark our milestone with us! Hopefully it will be our first of many.
“We will be running some special offers during the day.
“We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating our first birthday. It feels very good to have got to where we are now.
“We have made lots of tweaks as we have gone along, this place feels like it has gone from strength to strength.
“There have been a couple of minor blips along the way, but nothing major.
“We are now looking ahead to our second year here at Wine & Words by Watson, with some exciting things we are lining up – watch this space!”
One element which has steadily evolved at Wine & Words by Watson is the choice of books on offer. People are able to buy books and then sit back with a coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy.
Their most recent addition – to the delight of visitors – has been fresh pastries made by Butterholic on Lark Lane in Liverpool.
The choice of book titles has been driven through customer demand, and also the availability of some very talented local authors, with an opportunity to showcase their work.
Genres on the bookshelves currently include: Local; Classic; Fantasy; Romantasy; Thriller; Romance; Coffee; Journals; and Interests.
James Watson said: “It’s been interesting to see what people love to read. We’ve added more thriller, romance and romantasy books as we’ve gone along due to growing demand.
“My sister runs a bookshop in Scotland so she has been a huge help to us.
“Our book launches are very popular. We are hosting the launch of the new book by Sarah J.Maas at midnight on 26th October 2026. That should be an exciting event.
“Our author events always go down so well, and the book clubs we host here are superb.”
The very best local artists are also highlighted, with several stunning works on show and for sale by Clare Wright, who operates the Clare Wright Art Gallery further along Lord Street.
James loves her work and admits to being “half delighted and half devastated” when one of her works sells and leaves his walls.
James and Portia have been fully vindicated by their vision to bring a brand new local independent business to the historic Lord Street boulevard in Southport.
James said: “Lord Street is such an iconic street. There are so many stunning buildings here, and there are so many new businesses opening here now. Work is taking place everywhere.
“We’re looking forward to the two new restaurants opening near us soon, as well as the new Digz’ Lidz cafe, and it was great to see the new Coffee King arriving.
“Work on the new Wetherspoon Hotel is starting soon and the Northern Quarter has become a real destination.
“What we offer here at Wine & Words by Watson is unique – great books, wine, coffee, and events. We’re very different from anywhere else.
“Since we’ve opened, the feedback from customers has been very, very positive.
“The comments from people have been fabulous. We feel very humbled by what people have said.”
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