One of Merseyside's most well known high streets is now bouncing back and starting to thrive.
Once known for its exclusive shops and lavish hotels Lord Street was the nucleus of Southport's retail centre. Unable to keep up with a changing world, and like many wealthy 20th-century seaside towns, the street has been on a steady decline.
Pre-pandemic Lord Street's flagship department store Beales closed its doors. The major blow to the high street coincided with the closure of Debenhams further along the road. However, 15 months after closing, Beales was bought by New Start and reopened - prompting customers to line the streets to get in.
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Since then a flurry of new development plans have been announced, coupled with new businesses popping up along the street. Owen Simmons, owner of cafe and bar Oath Lounge, said: "Originally when I was looking at the forecast and footfall a lot of the figures were mudded by Covid. So when I decided to take it on I hoped I would be two years ahead of the curve.
"We have had the redevelopment of the Southport Market and the Carlton has had a redevelopment so there are new places popping up all the time. We need new bars and more ideas coming into the area."
In 2021 it was announced that The Grand would open on the former site of the Grand Casino on Lord Street. Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group then invested £3 million into transforming the building.
The firm unveiled plans to revitalise the site creating 60 new jobs, four bars, and a 250-seater function space and wedding suite. The Grand will be phase one of a multi-million-pound scheme by the Mikhail Group that aims to develop a complex of buildings in the area including the 48 stories high Tower of Hope.
Speaking on the proposed plans Andrew Mikhail said: "I want this to be a true sign that we shouldn’t give up and that better things will come, I hope that people will look up, see the Tower of Hope and realise, that anything is possible."
Last year saw independent businesses such as House of Ivy and The Old Bank move onto Lord Street. That trend seems to be continuing as the owners of the former Debenhams building are now advertising that the premises would be suitable for anyone wanting to open a shop, a cafe, or a bar.
Michelle who owns Season Coffee Bar and Kitchen on King Street opened last year and said that she has already benefited from the increased footfall in the area. Speaking to the ECHO she said: "People are wanting a slice of the pie as more money is coming into Southport.
"It's up and coming it had its day years ago and then all the shops shut down now it seems to be on the up again. I'm hoping the investments bring a lot more opportunities and jobs to the town I think it should be great for everyone.
"Like any new business, you have to take the rough with the smooth but I am excited about the future."
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