Following a £1.4m transformation project Sefton Council has set a date for the launch of the new-look Southport Market with 10 traders already signed up. Tony McDonough reports

A date has been setting for the opening of the new £1.4m Southport Market.

Sefton Council has confirmed the 10 traders have now signed up for space at the transformed Victorian market. The project forms a key aspect of the authority’s recovery plan for the town.

It will open to the public in the week beginning July 19 following months of planning and refurbishment works. All ten stalls and traders, as well as a feature bar and drinks space, have now been confirmed 

Paul Adams, owner of the Vincent Hotel, said he was delighted to reveal an expansion to his team of talented chefs will be taking up residency at Southport Market. He added: “There’s a new Vincent in town. We have been working hard with Sefton Council to open a new food offering within the market.

“Pacific by Vincent will open alongside nine other local vendors and we are so excited to welcome residents and visitors to what is an amazing regeneration of the market. Pacific will be serving many of our popular Vincent speciality dishes, from our beautiful salmon sushi rolls and our award-winning duck spring rolls.”

The full list of confirmed traders is as follows:

• Blackhurst Butchers
• 600 degrees (Pizzas, Italian)
• Hector’s Mexicana (Mexican street food)
• Pacific By Vincent (Pacific Rim inspired foods)
• 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)

A feature bar, described as the centrepiece of the new Southport Market will be managed by the Mikhail Leisure group, famous for the successful Bold Hotel, Punch Tarmey’s and much more.

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.”

Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, added: “July will be a very exciting time and we cannot wait to welcome thousands of visitors through the market’s gates. We are delighted to see all the hard work of our tourism team and partners coming to fruition.

“Every single trader comes to the market with a passion and desire to ensure this project is a success and we are confident this will be one of the North West’s best food and drink gems.”

The Southport Market project has been led by Sefton Council and partners, supported by funding from the Liverpool City Region and Southport Town Deal.