A historic arcade that was on the brink of collapse after a downturn in footfall is now bouncing back and thriving.
Walking through Wayfarers arcade in Southport is like stepping back in time. As shoppers navigate the tightly packed corridor at the front of the arcade the Victorian building opens up to reveal an imposing glass dome that sheds onto the perfectly preserved wrought iron railings and manicured shop fronts.
While its aesthetics have stood the test of time the arcade has suffered from the economic had finical hardships in recent years. Pre pandemic the complex's flagship department store Beales closed its doors in 2020.
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This hit to Southport's high street coincided with the closure of Debenhams further along Lord Street which saw a downturn in footfall for the arcade. Creating a perfect storm just in time for the pandemic to hit.
However, the Grade II listed building which was built in 1898 has seen something of a resurgence in the past year. Beales just over 15 months after closing reopened when it was bought by New Start.
Now a flurry of new businesses have started to set up shop in the historic arcade. David Booth a Fine Artist who is also a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors is planning on opening his very first gallery at the Wayfarer in June.
Speaking to the ECHO he said: "I'm from Manchester originally and when I was a child my parents used to bring me to Southport. I have always loved the Wayfarer and I think it is beautiful.
"It was just the perfect place to open my gallery. I hope it is on the up and people will start to come in and through that new shops will open.
"It needs the support of the local people to come in and see what is going on. It is a personal experience buying art and people have an emotional connection with a painting or a sculpture."
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"I've just set up shop and there already seems to be quite a bit of footfall and I've committed to being at the arcade for the next three years."
Graham McQauid works in a pop-up art gallery that runs classes and sells work created by students. He has been coming to the arcade for the last 15 years.
Graham who has lived in Birkdale said: "I've seen dramatic changes since we started out before the first economic downturn in 2008. You could see it starting to get less and less busy.
"There were times when you could not get a unit here but now there are empty lots. It is such a marvelous facility and they have kept it going. It's an asset to the town."
The arcade has managed to retain some of its most popular stores including Master Barbers and the popular Pudding and Pies. It will also be hosting a fashion exhibition to celebrate the Queen’s 70-year Platinum Jubilee.
Joanne Herbert who opened enchanted Gifts and Crafts last month after having a market stall in Southport said: "Seeing the rising price of market stalls going up I decided to move here. Hopefully more business come in and we can get it back to what it used to be.
"I've done really well since we have opened. I want to see all the units fill up it has such a lovely atmosphere in here and it is a lovely building."
Centre Manager, Yvonne Burns said: “We have retained every one of our retailers throughout the difficult trading times of the pandemic and have welcomed two new retailers in the past month. I am delighted that we also have more prospective tenants we are currently negotiating with who are, we hope, soon to be joining the arcade family.”
