Why not share your stories and pics of the past with the
Pavilion buildings in Southport, putting plants in the planters and helping to water them every day when needed. This was from 2001 until 2006.
“The stunning structure of the building is amazing and great to see.”
Leslie Rice said: ‘‘I bought my first and only girlfriend and later wife, Pauline Bretherton (now sadly deceased) a birthday gift of Blue Grass perfume from an Arcade shop in 1970.
“We had met while working in Sisson’s Cafe on Lord Street.
“She worked in The Wayfarers in 1973 and got a coffee set as an engagement present, which I still have, benefiting from staff discount. Happy memories.”
Deborah Beardsmore said: “I loved all of it and still do. Especially the individuality of the shops back from my teen years in the 1970s and ‘80s up to today.
“I particularly love Gentle Cosmetics.”
Susan Stacey said: “I worked in Broadbents but spent part of that time at Boothroyds in the 1990s.
“I loved and still love the atmosphere within the arcade at Christmas.”
David Regan said: “I started to work there in 1962 at the age of 15. Five and a half days a week for three pounds. Keith Smethurst Sports and Toys was the shop.”
John Pittam said: “Wasn’t there a big pond through it with koi carp? Just remembered it ran most of the length of the arcade.”
Fiona Wood said: “Oh yes didn’t you throw penny in to make a wish?”
Carrie Brooks-Harley said: “My mum used to take me in there because there was a wishing pond and we would throw pennies in, it took 50 years before my wish came true and I met my soul mate.”
Mary Haralambous said: “I have a picture which I believe was bought from Wayfarers Arcade in about 1940. A little girl playing with shells on the beach.
“I have had it (from my mum) about seven years and hope to pass it on to my daughters etc.”
Patricia Elliott said; “My godmother bought me a teddy bear from a shop in there. I’m coming up to 70 years of age and I still have it.”
David Maher KC said: “I liked Kernaghan Books. I bought countless old maps in there.”
Pat Collis said: “I loved the individuality of the shops, not a chain store in sight.” DID you have a great Southport nostalgia story to tell?
Do you remember great Southport landmarks such as The Kingsway, Southport Sea Bathing Lake or Peter Pan’s Playground?
When you could drive down Chapel Street, go roller-skating to the latest ’80s hits at Southport YMCA or go shopping at places
Karl Pinch said: “I enjoyed the stamp shop down the very end under the stairway.”
Susan Fairbrass said: “I used to love the little stamp shop!”
Stephen Crick said: “Used to love the stamp shop under the stairs at far end. Still have my stamp album!”
Diane Cameron said: “I worked there at Finertys, hairdressers, down on the far right.”
Johndebbie Fennessy Bills said: “I liked the billiard hall, up the stairs on the right at the back, learnt to play snooker there in 1960.”
Linda WasRigby Moss said: “I loved the Wayfarers shop – such as Woolworths, Delahunty, Cassidy’s or Mainstop?
Every week we look back at some of your favourite memories of life in Southport in years gone by – why not tell us what you would like to see?
The Southport of Yesterday was established by local musician Owen Allen, and is run by him along with Bob
spent hours in there buying gifts for people and getting inspiration.”
Pamela Barcas said: “There was a lovely clothes shop, think it was called Serendipity. I bought a wedding outfit there – all individual outfits, no risk of being seen in the same suit at the same wedding.”
Jacqueline Burrows said: “There used to be a fabulous record shop there – I spent many hours browsing!”
Jayne Jones said: “My grandfather owned the first modern kitchen shop which was next door to Karmy’s the jewellers.”
Pat Brewster said: “I worked Rowland and Ian Butler.
Are you interested in Southport and its great past? Look for The Southport of Yesterday group on Facebook.
If you have any stories or photos you would like us to share with readers, either message the group, or email Visiter editor Andrew Brown at: andrew. brownNW@reachplc.com
in the Wayfarers Arcade in the 1950s in a chemist called Caves Chemist.”
Lynda Davis said: “Loved Wayfarers, and there was a boutique where I bought a few ‘posh frocks’ but I don’t remember the name.”
Tish Jerome said: “I used to go to Mr Finerty the hairdresser and the band would often be playing.”
Janet Robinson said: “Used to buy second-hand comics from a shop tucked away in the left corner in the 1950s / ‘60s.”
Ian Rimmer said: “I worked in Wayfarers Arcade when the TV and audio shop was next door to the record shop. Happy days.”
Jackie Rimmer said: “When I was a child there was a shop called Bates haberdashery. I loved playing with the buttons. The money was put in a tube which went across the ceiling. Wonderful shop.”
Andrew Heaton Jr said: “I used to love the men’s clothes shop, Lapel, at the end in the 80s / early 90s.”
Spud Tate said: “Used to be a sports shop in there where I would gaze open-mouthed wishing on a pair of Bauer Bravos roller skates so I wouldn’t have to use the smelly YMCA hire ones!”
Jean Morris said: “Bought our black ash dining suite from Wayfarers. Had to wait while different pieces arrived from abroad. Well worth the wait.”
Malcolm Little said: “I worked in the Juice shop back in the 1970s, Saturday job! Long before Smoothies were all the rage. I think Mrs Green was the owner.”
WAYFARERS Arcade is celebrating its 120th birthday with an exclusive shopping event today, Thursday, November 1.
From 12pm, there will be free food, drink, entertainment and exclusive discounts plus an exhibition on its history.