Two experienced local publicans reveal plans to open a new dog-friendly micro pub in Southport town centre, serving ‘the finest cask and craft ales’. Andrew Brown reports
Two successful publicans have revealed their excitement at opening a brand new micro pub called The Bugle Tap in Southport town centre saying they’re “ready for a new challenge”.
David and Vicky Brown are aiming to open the new venue at 118 Lord Street, in the former Plaza Cards unit, in 2026. The Bugle Tap will sell “the finest cask and craft ales”, German and Belgian beers, small batch spirits and single malts, and will be dog friendly.
David and Vicky Brown said: “We ran the Masons Arms for almost five years until September 2024. We took the Masons from a failing pub to one of the busiest and best in Southport.
“We were in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for three consecutive years and earned a CAMRA award for our quality of beer. We left the pub in September for a break and are now ready for a new challenge.
“We had two more pubs in England and one in Spain before the Masons. The opening will be some time after New Year as long as all goes well with the planning application and the work to be done.
“We love Southport and are keen to support the town by making a considerable investment in its future.”
Plaza Cards in Southport closed its doors for the last time in January 2024 after more than 60 years trading. David and Vicky are now eager to revitalise this empty building and bring new life to it, adding another new local independent business to Lord Street.
They have submitted a planning application to Sefton Council to convert the site into a new use. The proposed opening hours are between midnight and 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 10pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
David and Vicky added: “We firstly viewed the property in January and after a long period of negotiations we managed to submit planning at the start of September.
“We are publicans with 20 years experience and think there is a need for an additional venue in Southport serving quality cask and craft ales, locally sourced where possible. We will also be serving locally crafted small batch gins, rums and whiskies.
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“We will have four rotating cask ales, one permanent imported German lager and five rotating keg pumps which will include imported German, Belgian and Czech beers, also Sours, fruit and wheat beers.
“We will also offer an extensive range of bottled and canned local and imported beers. We are looking to create a laid back atmosphere with bodega / bierkeller vibes.”