Sefton Council has assigned a speciality construction and refurbishment team from Merseyside the task of leading the creation of Southport’s brand new Enterprise Arcade.
An agreement with Liverpool firm Skyline Property Solutions Ltd will see them lead on the interior refurbishment and refit of Crown Buildings into the much-anticipated Enterprise Arcade.
Located on Southport’s Eastbank Street, the Enterprise Arcade will be the town’s second creative and digitally-focused space for start-up and growing businesses and entrepreneurs.
Werksy, on West Street, is opening on 8th January 2024, while the Engine Rooms inside Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street will open later in 2024.
Leading North West digital expert Jon Corner, who helped drive technology sector businesses to Media City in Salford, will also be joining the Enterprise Arcade project team.
Town Deal funding of £1.5 million has been earmarked for the scheme that will see the Crown Buildings reimagined to create almost 900m2 of space for digital and creative start-ups and scale-ups.
Work is set to begin in January 2024 with tenants expected to start moving into the building by the end of the year.
The Enterprise Arcade project reaffirms the commitment of Sefton Council and its partners to maximising the potential of the digital, creative and technological sectors within the resort, as well as supporting the continued diversification of the borough’s economy and the continued growth of entrepreneurship in Sefton.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:
“This is a key project for the regeneration and economic diversification of Southport’s economy.
“The Enterprise Arcade will incorporate Crown Buildings and retail units on the ground floor of Eastbank Street.
“The new, repurposed workspace will join Southport’s regenerated and already successful Southport Market in demonstrating how new life can be brought back to these fantastic buildings, encouraging more investment and helping secure a positive future for the town.
“I am pleased that we have been able to identify Skyline as the contractor and I know they will help us deliver a fantastic and thorough refit of Crown Buildings ready for our tenants.
“Our Enterprise Arcade will be the ideal location for a whole host of start-up and growing businesses and individuals, whether they be in the early incubator stages of developing their brand or simply in need of flexibility and an agile approach to their working practices.”
An artist’s impression of The Enterprise Arcade on Eastbank Street in Southport
David Castell, the owner and managing director of Skyline said:
“Skyline are absolutely delighted to be awarded by Sefton Council the contract to refurbish Crown Building on Eastbank Street Southport to accommodate the new Enterprise Arcade.
“As a proud Southport resident myself I am overjoyed and we are tremendously looking forward to creating this incredible digital space for creatives in the region.”
Jon Corner said:
“My wide-ranging role includes creating a dynamic and innovative relationship with existing technology businesses and start-ups to show them the huge benefits of the Enterprise Arcade both in the short and long term.
“I want to help build Enterprise Arcade up as a catalyst for Southport’s commercial office sector as we move towards a more ‘Creative and Digital District’.
“This work also includes improving the relationships that we have with young people, the education sector and training providers and the council for some time has been speaking with this sector to bring them with us on our journey.
“Our aim is to curate a brilliant business plan and operating model for the Enterprise Arcade making clear its vital role in the continued revitalisation of the Southport town centre and in growing Sefton’s digital economy.”
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