A new ‘experience cafe’ that enables people to control model diggers, dump trucks, articulated trucks, wheel loaders, or tower cranes in a sandpit is to open in Liverpool city region in September. Andrew Brown reports
Remote controlled vehicle enthusiasts will be able to indulge their hobby with a cuppa and a bite to eat when a new ‘RC experience cafe’ opens in September.
An opening date for the new Digz’n Lidz RC experience cafe in Southport town centre has been revealed. Owners Danny Melia and Mark Gaudie say it will be a new and exciting venue for families with experiences suitable for all ages.
This new attraction is situated in one of the front units behind huge floor-to-ceiling windows in the former Debenhams building at 535–563 Lord Street in Southport town centre, in the Northern Quarter.
Digz’n Lidz is due to open on Wednesday, September 2. RC stands for ‘remote controlled’. Users book sessions to sit on one of 14 stools around a specially constructed RC digger sandpit. There they control a choice of diggers, dump trucks, articulated trucks, wheel loaders, or tower cranes.
There is a cafe area to the rear of the building with hot food and drink such as toasted paninis and coffees available, which can be ordered and brought to people as they play.
While sessions must be booked, Digz’n Lidz is also open to people wanting to walk in and sit enjoying something to eat or drink in one of the booths. This venue is also suitable for birthday parties, family days out, work gatherings and corporate days.
Digz’n Lidz is fully accessible, with no steps inside, an accessible toilet and baby change area, and with people in wheelchairs able to pull up to the sandpit and play. There is a mural alongside the wall which has been painted by local artist Keith Pollitt.
The new independent business is being created by two long-term friends and dads-of-two, both HGV lorry drivers.
Mark Gaudie has a 10-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son while Danny Melia has a 12-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. Danny left his HGV driving job on Friday to concentrate full-time on the new venture.
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They said: “We have been working hard over the past few months to get everything ready at Digz’n Lidz and now we’re really excited to be opening soon. We have completed 90% of all the work in here ourselves, with the exception of the electrics, the tiling and the mural.
“We can’t wait to welcome people in and see what they think. We’re just keen to get up and running now. Our website is available and people can book sessions there.”