Old pub lined up for bold revamp project
EXCITING plans have been revealed to breathe new life into one of Southport’s most iconic pub sites.
The Coronation, on King Street in Southport’s Market Quarter, will be transformed in three phases, creating up to 15 new jobs in the community.
Phase one will see the opening of a new Irish-themed pub, Connolly’s, which is due to open on the ground floor on Saturday, May 11.
Stylish new rooms will then open in Catherine’s luxury rooms along with spa facilities in the floors above in phase two.
The final phase will see Catherine’s Wine Bar open on the ground floor adjacent to Connolly’s.
The scheme is being led by Julie Goodwin, who has recently reopened the historic Cheshire Lines Inn pub on nearby King Street.
Julie said: “We are really excited about breathing new life into one of Southport’s most iconic buildings.
“The Coronation has very happy memories for so many people in Southport – myself included.
“We wondered whether to keep the old name or to start with a new name, for new generations to enjoy.
“I love the name Catherine, which is my mum’s name, which is why we have gone for that one for phase 2 and 3 and Connolly’s is a family surname.
“The builders are in and we are confident of Connolly’s being open on Saturday, May 11, in time for the start of the Euros in June.
“We have eight big HD TVs and a giant screen so our customers can enjoy the Euros from wherever they’re seated in Connolly’s plus a pool table and we’ve kept the original Coronation darts board.
“We already have our entertainment booked for opening weekend and there’s going to be a few surprises in there too, it’s going to be a fabulous opening weekend that people won’t want to miss.
“Connolly’s will be the first phase of our redevelopment. It will take up most of the original pub area on the ground floor.
“We want it to be an authentic, traditional Irish themed pub with a sports theme and great food with an Irish infusion.
“Connolly’s is a freehouse so we are also able to keep costs down so there’s going to be some great drinks offers too.
“We are working with three amazing chefs that all bring their own flair to what’s going to be a delicious and inspired menu for traditional diners plus a bar food menu for anybody who wants to grab a bite to eat while watching the sports.
“We will convert the upper floors into a hotel and mini spa in phase two which will be called Catherine’s luxury rooms. That will take around a further six to eight months.
“There are going to be two family rooms; six luxury double rooms; and we are going to have a mini spa room on the top level.
“Our guests there will be able to enjoy things like reiki, hair and makeup, massage and more.
“Our aim is that our guests will have an enjoyable experience in all parts of the project, whether it’s a pint of Guinness in Connollys and a good meal, a good glass of wine or Champagne in Catherine’s wine bar and ultimately a comfortable stay in Catherine’s luxury rooms.
“We are working closely with Tracy Holgate from Sefton Council’s tourism department, who has been incredibly helpful and supportive.
“Phase three will be Catherine’s wine bar where we plan on offering some great events plus the ever popular bottomless brunches with a delicious tapas menu, a perfect space to celebrate birthdays, baby showers, engagements and much more.
“In all, we are looking at a 12 to 18 month project to get everything complete.”
Julie and her family are delighted to be opening the Coronation building and giving it a bright new future.
She said: “It was so sad to see the Corrie closing four years ago. I have walked past it these past few months, seeing the letters on the sign gradually falling off and thinking ‘what a shame it’s closed’.
“I have tried to secure this building three times and finally got it now! I am really excited about what it can be.
“I just wanted to see it coming back to life. I am looking forward to welcoming people coming in and seeing what they think.”
The building is owned by a local development firm owned by Paul Halsall.
Julie said: “Paul Halsall has been fantastic to work with. I can’t thank him enough. He has been really keen to make this happen and has supported us all the way.
“We are also happy to be working with Nolan’s Property Solutions which will be managing and reforming all three phases of this project.
“We can’t thank them enough for their tireless work in the planning and supporting the project plus their total professionalism.
“We look forward to welcoming everybody at our opening weekend launching on Saturday, May 11.”
Connollys is recruiting: Bar staff; floor/waiting on staff; kitchen staff. All enquiries to be directed to Cheshire Lines on: 01704 536507.
THE abandoned site of Pontins Southport could be snapped up by rival holiday company Butlin’s.
Butlin’s boss, John Hendry Pickup, has revealed that the business has contacted Pontins’ owner Britannia Hotels about taking over its closeddown locations in either Southport or Prestatyn, North Wales.
The Southport holiday park closed without warning in January. The shock news came just two months after the closure of two other Pontins sites, Pretatyn and Camber Sands, East Sussex.
Mr Hendry Pickup told The Mirror he wanted to purchase one of the sites – but had yet to receive a response from Britannia Hotels.
He said: “We would definitely still be interested. We would definitely like a conversation with them.”
Referring to the Pontins’ Southport, he said: “It is an existing site so there is no need to dig up the countryside.”
Were it to get the site, he said it would most likely flatten what is there now, meaning it would be a longerterm investment.
The Southport and Prestatyn camps are attractive to Butlin’s as it does not have a resort in North West England, and it unlikely to start one anywhere else from scratch.
Butlin’s three existing resorts are in Minehead, Somerset, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, and Skegness, Lincolnshire.
The closure of the three Pontins sites comes as Butlin’s prepares for what it predicts will be a record year, with guest numbers set to top 1.5m. Accounts for 2023 have yet to be released, but turnover in 2022 jumped 54% to £290.4m from the prior year, which was affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
The company is part way through a £150m investment project, which runs until 2027. Plans include a £15m indoor activity centre at Bognor Regis and over 100 brand new and luxury lodges at Skegness.
Mr Hendry Pickup said: “The mission is to give loads of things to do. The mission isn’t to relax – if people want to do that, we aren’t for them.”
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern – a former Butlin’s Redcoat – is among acts due to perform in Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead this summer.
Other acts due to appear at various Butlin’s Big Weekender events include Atomic Kitten, Jason Donovan, and Chesney Hawkes.