Impressive new wrought iron steelwork has been installed at the front of Southport Market.



The decorative metal work weighs over half a tonne comprising 2 large side panels, 1 large set of double gates, 2 inner railings and 4 disabled handrails which were installed by local company SC Wrought Iron Designs Ltd.



The engineering firm, which is based in Southport, designed the huge 10ft high designs before manufacturing them over a week and a half, then galvanising and powder coating them. SC Wrought Iron Designs Ltd also designs and manufactures the Christmas decorations and the festive tree which appear in Southport every year.



Their sister company, IllumiDex UK Ltd, created the stunning ‘boulevard of light’ along the mile-long Lord Street shopping street in Southport with 300,000 lights strung across 80 trees.



The new gates are the latest feature to be added to the new look Southport Market, which is due to show off its new look this summer as an exciting new food, drink and events space in a £1.4million scheme.



SC Wrought Iron Designs Ltd Owner Steve Clayton said: “When they started redesigning Southport Market, officers from Sefton Council asked us to prepare a quote for them - they said they wanted them to be big, because the archways at the front of the building are huge.



“It took four men to lift each of the 2 large side panels into place.



“This is one of the heaviest single jobs which we have completed.



“I think the public will be happy to know that the gates have been manufactured here in Southport. It is great to see Sefton Council supporting local firms and keeping money circulating in the local economy.



“I am really happy with the new gates and railings. The lads have worked really hard on them.”



Steve Clayton has worked in engineering all his career, founding SC Wrought Iron Designs seven years ago with his wife Jan. It is a real family-run firm, with their two sons working for them as well as two apprentices from Southport College.



The firm designs, manufactures and installs bespoke gates, railings, staircases, mezzanine floors and other ironwork throughout most of the year before creating custom-made Christmas decorations between September and December.



Steve and Jan also run IllumiDex UK Ltd, which lit up Lord Street in Southport earlier this year. The firm installs lighting, both at Christmas and through the year, for local homes and businesses. IllumiDex also provides Christmas decorating services for homes and businesses.



The couple are now looking forward to seeing the new look Southport Market opening.



Steve said: “The market is looking amazing!



“Jan and I can’t wait to go in and have something to eat and drink.



“Lots of people are going to enjoy going there. It is going to be a really great place for our town.



“I am excited. I really want to see what it looks like when it’s finished.”



The new look Southport Market will officially open its doors this summer, following the reveal of nine incredible stalls and traders who will take up permanent residence in the building alongside the new bar operators, Mikhail Hotel Leisure Group. The group operates venues including The Bold Hotel, Lord Street Hotel and Punch Tarmeys bar, all in Southport.



Finishing touches are being applied to the iconic market space as it undergoes a major transformation into a leading food, drinks and events space that will boost the local economic and tourism sectors, thanks to the hard work of Sefton Council and £900,000 funding through Southport Town Deal and £500,000 from the Liverpool City Region.



Aesthetics work will soon be completed to give the market space a sleek and modern look, while still combining elements of Southport's proud seaside heritage.



Nine market stall traders have now been revealed; from artisan pizzas and Mediterranean delicacies to Canadian inspired poutine and spicy Mexican street food.



The full list of confirmed traders is:

Blackhurst Butchers

600 degrees (Pizzas, Italian)

Hector's Mexicana (Mexican street food)

Down and Oot (Canadian steaks, poutine, hot sandwiches)

King St. Bakery (Portuguese tarts)

Messy Moments (Desserts)

Birkdale Pie & Mash (Assorted pies)

Allotment – (American Burgers et al)

Pitamu (Greek & Mediterranean)



Alongside the brand new Southport Market space is a monthly Southport Maker's Market, taking place in the surrounding market quarter area of the town, including a mix of artisan craft and food stalls on the first Sunday of every month.

So in reality,the market has now gone from somewhere you could buy bargains,clothes,shoes,hardware,jewellery etc,into a mixed food hall,with continental restaurants,and a butchers ?

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

So in reality,the market has now gone from somewhere you could buy bargains,clothes,shoes,hardware,jewellery etc,into a mixed food hall,with continental restaurants,and a butchers ?

Well done! (Slowly claps hands)

So its not a Market anymore its a indoor fast food hall with a butchers

Originally Posted by donkey22

Well done! (Slowly claps hands)

Typical reply from a Muppet.....On yer bike Eeyore.

Originally Posted by roving-eye

So its not a Market anymore its a indoor fast food hall with a butchers

That is what it sounds like it is going to be,with those names mentioned in the original post.with a mixture of European,Mexican,and Canadian folk music playing in the background from each eatery.........It is just what Southport needed......More fastfood outlets......Not!!.

Originally Posted by SteveandLois

That is what it sounds like it is going to be,with those names mentioned in the original post.with a mixture of European,Mexican,and Canadian folk music playing in the background from each eatery.........It is just what Southport needed......More fastfood outlets......Not!!.

People are constantly on here bleating how things need to be done otherwise the town will die. Something is done and they bleat about that instead!

Go to somewhere like the Baltic Market in Liverpool, it’s led to the regeneration of that area, which is hopefully what will happen hear.

Originally Posted by roving-eye

So its not a Market anymore its a indoor fast food hall with a butchers

Wow, with your amazing insight, I’m surprised you’re running your own ‘news’ site and not been snapped up by one of the national’s!

Whatever you think you are still reading it. I consider that a success .

If it’s like the Baltic market ethic it should do well. Multiple food and bar outlets and shared eating area layout. They be doing it for years in other towns, designer shopping outlets etc. Just needs to be on the tourist footfall route. Meaning more signage not as expensive as the markets last effort. Ie (20000) for last market sign which was broken 6 month later. Plenty of Southport home grown sign writers about, that am sure could design something appropriate that would draw the eye of people of all ages. Plus Punch Tarmeys grandson business éthic behind it. What a bonus.Shame no parking around there.With the new theatre and light show attractions coming.Southport might get put back on the map.. Am a wishful, optimistic thinker….(Haha)

really?

Go to somewhere like the Baltic Market in Liverpool, it’s led to the regeneration of that area, which is hopefully what will happen hear.

Well at least those three cheerful looking lads got a bit of work out of making them gates, a market full of food outlets with another one outside cooking artisan cheapest Asda sausages and selling bangles and shite and taking stallholders and rent payers trade.

Good to know our council tax has been spent on something useful. Did anyone do a risk assessment on the implications of increased evacuation times in the event of an emergency? I seem to recall an event in Sheffield when funneling a crowd into a narrower opening didn't work out too well.

Originally Posted by roving-eye

So its not a Market anymore its a indoor fast food hall with a butchers

Have you only just realised this after 2 years of copying and pasting press releases about it?

Originally Posted by r4dent

Good to know our council tax has been spent on something useful. Did anyone do a risk assessment on the implications of increased evacuation times in the event of an emergency? I seem to recall an event in Sheffield when funneling a crowd into a narrower opening didn't work out too well.

There's more than one exit.
There's the exit into Market Street and unless they've altered the exterior there are folding doors almost the full length of that side too. There's a fire exit into the alleyway between the old Macdonalds and probably a fire exit at the back into the yard.

Do you really think the council would design something that didn't meet statutory regulations?