Shopping arcade launches ‘Creative Village’ strategy

A new ‘Creative Village’ strategy aims to attract more quality tenants and organise more events at a Liverpool city region shopping arcade. Andrew Brown reports

Wayfarers Arcade in Southport is launching a new ‘Creative Village’ strategy with ambitions to attract more quality tenants, host exciting new events and welcome more visitors.

One of the UK’s most beautiful Victorian shopping arcades, Wayfarers has welcomed generations of visitors since it first opened on the Lord Street boulevard in1898. Now new initiatives are reinvigorating this landmark heritage venue.

People have already been able to see improvements, including the opening in December of the Grant Searl & The Northerner Art Gallery, to add to several quality tenants already in place.

And the Engine Room, based on the first floor, continues to welcome increasing numbers of creatives, artists, co-workers, classes and events.

People can now look forward to seeing exciting new Creative Village events, which will bring a new energy into the venue with themed street fairs, live entertainment, farmers’ markets and more.

Wayfarers Arcade always sparkles at Christmas time and visitors will be able to indulge in Christmas Markets there from November 27 through until Christmas Eve.

Partnerships will be developed with other local businesses in Southport to host some of the showcases, such as working with the award-winning Tap & Bottles on Beer Street at the Rushbearing Festival, and with Volare at the Venetian Festival.

On Saturday, March 1, visitors will be able to enjoy a spectacular Venetian Carnival themed day and night. Expect quality Italian themed food and craft vendors during the day; stylish live entertainment; and lots of magic and mystery.

At night, the arcade will come alive with an exclusive black tie ball with jazz from the New Orleans Jazz Band, with tickets (£10 in advance, £15 on the door) on sale.

Further Creative Village events will take place every month, including:

March 29 – Flower Festival
May 3 – May Day
May 31 – Global Village
June 28 – Kupala Night
August 2 – Lughnasadh
August 30 – Michaelmas
September 27 – Beer Street at the Rushbearing Festival
October 31 and November 1 – Halloween / Samhain
November 27 – Lancashire Day, and the launch of the Christmas Market until December 28.

Wayfarers Arcade spokesperson Dr Eric Lybeck said: “The message we want to convey is that some people on social media recently have said ‘what a beautiful arcade, but it’s a shame there are some empty units in there’.

“We want to flip things around to say what a sensational, unique venue we have here, with some exciting opportunities for what these remaining vacant units could become.

“We would also like to engage with local; residents to ask what you would love to see in the arcade – a chocolate shop? A cheese shop? A whisky shop?

“We have spaces of a variety of sizes which are available, and contrary to local myths, the rents and the service charges are very reasonable.

“The Creative Village events will be the perfect opportunity for any businesses keen to come in and have a presence in the arcade for pop-up events to see whether it’s a space that could become a long-term fit for them.”

This article first appeared in Stand Up For Southport

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