An incredible feature bar will be the centrepiece of the new Southport Market crown after Sefton Council appointed a locally based leisure group to manage its day to day running.

Following a tender process last year, Mikhail Hotel Leisure Group, famous for the Bold Hotel, Lord Street Hotel and Punch Tarmey's, have been revealed as the team Sefton Council have chosen to manage the feature bar at the revamped Southport Market.

The new look venue will officially open its doors very soon, following the reveal of 9 incredible stalls and traders who will take up permanent residence in the building alongside the new bar operators.

Andrew Mikhail, owner of The Mikhail group, said: "Yet again, the great team at Sefton Council have had fabulous vision with their regeneration plans for the market.

"Not only creating jobs for locals but I am certain that this will bring people from far and wide to Southport.

“My team are fabulous at what they do and running great venues is what we are known for, which meant we were the obvious choice to run the bar, the impressive centrepiece to the market.

"The market is looking really impressive and we look forward welcoming those customers who are regulars at our other Southport businesses and to welcoming some new faces. "

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 funding by both the Liverpool City Region & Southport Town Deal.

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 as follows:

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 Maker's Market, taking place in the surrounding market quarter are of the town, including a mix of artisan craft and food stalls.

The £1.4m market scheme, which is a key enabler and an early part of Sefton Council’s Covid-19 recovery plan for Southport, will see 10 new locally based food units and a feature bar installed. This will be supported by a flexible events area able to host high-quality markets along with other events.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: "It is incredible to see all our hard work nearing completion and I cannot wait to see the Market open for everyone to enjoy.

"We are absolutely delighted to have confirmed the Mikhail Group as our Market bar operators and look forward to working with them at what is an iconic location.

"Southport Market is a venue that is of considerable historic importance to the resort, which is why we have ensured the space is brimming with local touches and influences.

"Our amazing tourism team have been hard at work with The Atkinson to source old images of Southport to be used throughout the market and the excitement is really building for our big launch soon!

'Incredible'?

Really?

Finishing touches are being applied to the iconic market space as it undergoes a major transformation into a leading food, drinks and events space

So its a Food Hall as found in the likes of the Trafford Centre (where there is a HIGH) footfall!

Also wonder why there is a butchers shop there

Originally Posted by roving-eye

"Not only creating jobs for locals but I am certain that this will bring people from far and wide to Southport.

Bring people from far and wide? For a pie or a pizza? I don't think so.

Originally Posted by *concerned*

So its a Food Hall as found in the likes of the Trafford Centre (where there is a HIGH) footfall!

It’s more like the Baltic Market in Liverpool, which has taken an area that had next to no footfall and turned it into an area which now has a thriving night life.

Originally Posted by Anon

Bring people from far and wide? For a pie or a pizza? I don't think so.

It’s based on the set up at the Baltic Market, which HAS brought people in from far and wide!

Originally Posted by *concerned*

Also wonder why there is a butchers shop there

To sell meat.

I seem to recall reading that he will be supplying some of the food outlets with meat and as he's been there years and was probably the only trader in the market making any money it seems perfectly reasonable that he should stay there.

Originally Posted by Sap33

It’s based on the set up at the Baltic Market, which HAS brought people in from far and wide!

There are many qlocal posters to whom the concept of going out to eat, drink and socialise is an alien concept.

thought the concept was going to be an amalgamation of gastronomic delights ,turns out given itsoutlets to be just fastfood under one roof .tacky burgers pizzas and costco cakes on a bench.give it less than 6months

Originally Posted by Anon

Bring people from far and wide? For a pie or a pizza? I don't think so.

So you have yet to see what the food etc. is like but somehow you know that it will be awful. Have you already entered your bad review on trip advisor?