New Arts Venue is set to Open in Southport this Summer

The stunning new Warehouse Arts Centre will become home to a wide range of live music, arts and creativity, set across four floors on West Street in Southport town centre.

The Warehouse Arts Centre takes its name from the iconic former Warehouse restaurant which occupied the site several years ago and was a popular place to be seen by local people and celebrities alike.

Liverpool FC legend Steve Gerrard - who later part owned the restaurant - often spoke about it in interviews as his favourite place in the world to eat.

The Warehouse Arts Centre will be playing host to the next generation of stars as it provides a platform for the many talented people within Southport’s very rich and diverse arts and cultural scene.

The new venue is due to open later this summer with construction work already taking place.

Behind the initiative are Ella, Spud and Yvette Cooper, owners of Cooper’s Bar on Leicester Street, working alongside Andrew Portersmith MBE and Stephanie Portersmith of the not-for-profit organisation Music Stuff, and a dedicated team from Tides Out Studios.

The Warehouse Arts Centre is not even open yet but has already been hailed in Parliament.

Southport MP Patrick Hurley told the House Of Commons on Thursday (5th February 2026): “May I take this opportunity to commend the outstanding work of the team behind Coopers Bar in Southport for all the work they’ve done to support the grassroots music scene in the town.

“They are now expanding their offering by opening a new venue on West Street due to open later in the Spring.”

Mr Hurley then asked the speaker for permission to hold a debate about grassroots music venues across the country and how “places like Coopers Bar can be properly recognised.”

The Coopers said: “It’s not every day your business gets mentioned in the House of Commons!

“We are happy our hard work is being recognised, and we will continue to dedicate our time to keeping the grassroots music scene alive in our home town.

“We are so excited about our big move into The Warehouse Arts Centre.

“We will be filling all four floors of the building, which will be an exciting new space for live music, arts and more.

“Coopers Bar has become such a popular venue for live music that we need a larger space to accommodate bigger audiences, as well as giving us the opportunity to attract even more quality bands to perform.

“We are building a brand-new stage and Cooper’s Music, which is currently on Union Street in Southport, will be relocating inside.

“There will be “Modulart” Art Gallery where local artists will be able to apply to exhibit their work for free, on a rolling basis.

“Musicians will be able to utilise the new Tides Out recording studio.

“There will be a shop selling arts and crafts.

“We will have rooms on the upper floors where people will be able to host art classes, music lessons and acting classes.

“We will be hosting wellbeing and yoga events and there will be teaching rooms and video editing rooms.

“The Warehouse Arts Centre is taking shape, and we’re excited to be able to share more details about our journey as the work progresses.

“We don’t have an exact opening date yet but we are aiming to open this summer.

“It will still have the same great atmosphere as Coopers Bar, while also being able to offer even more than we do now.

“There is nothing else like this in the whole area, and so many talented musicians, artists, and creatives in Southport who are looking forward to what we’re building.

“We need to put Southport back on the map as the cultural centre for the North West, where things are going on all the time and we’re attracting people into our town from all over.

“We are feeling very nervous and very excited!

“It’s a big risk doing this, but we have a brilliant team behind the project, and we’re all determined we just want to go for it!”

• For updates on the new Warehouse Arts Centre follow Coopers Bar on Facebook or visit www.coopersbarsouthport.com