A brand new arts venue is set to open in Southport this summer as construction work begins on a transformative project for the town’s cultural scene.
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 venue 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 Steven Gerrard, who later part-owned the restaurant, often spoke about it in interviews as his favourite place in the world to eat.
Now, the site will play host to the next generation of stars as it provides a platform for the many talented people within Southport’s rich and diverse arts and cultural scene.
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.
Hailed in Parliament
The Warehouse Arts Centre is not even open yet but has already been commended in the House of Commons. Southport MP Patrick Hurley told Parliament on 5 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.”
The Coopers expressed their pride at the recognition, stating:
“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.”
A Four-Storey Creative Hub
The new space is designed to accommodate the growing demand for live music in Southport while offering a variety of creative facilities.
The building will feature a brand-new stage for live music, with Cooper’s Music relocating inside from Union Street.
A ‘Modulart’ Art Gallery will allow local artists to apply to exhibit their work for free on a rolling basis, while musicians can utilise the new Tides Out recording studio.
Upper floors will include rooms for art classes, music lessons, and acting classes, alongside a shop selling local arts and crafts.
The centre also plans to host wellbeing and yoga events, and will provide dedicated teaching and video editing rooms.
Putting Southport Back on the Map
The move from the existing Coopers Bar was necessitated by the need for a larger space to accommodate bigger audiences and attract high-quality bands.
The owners said:
“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!”
While an exact opening date has not yet been confirmed, the team is aiming to welcome the public this summer.
