History
In the beginning
Wayfarers Arcade first opened its doors on 1st October 1898. Queen Victoria was on the throne and Lord Salisbury was the Prime Minister. Through the doors of the Arcade visitors were transported into a world of elegance and opulence with all manner of shops, musical entertainment and life to be found within. For Southport ‘society’ it was a place to be seen. For all it has been a unique place for shopping and leisure for over 100 years. It is now a Grade II listed building and is located within the Lord Street Conservation Area which has ‘Outstanding’ status.
Leyland Arcade
Wayfarers Arcade was originally known as the Leyland Arcade and was named after the Member of Parliament for Southport, Sir Herbert Naylor Leyland.
Leyland Arcade was built in a large garden on the sand dunes at the rear of commercial properties which front on to Lord Street. It was designed by G E Bolshaw an architect with offices in Southport and Crewe and took a long time to build (1890-1898).
The Leyland Arcade was pioneering in its use of electric lighting throughout and a circulated hot water system for each of the 45 shops and the first floor office accommodation. There was also a ladies club, a sale room and an assembly hall.
John Plummer’s legacy
The original plan by John Plummer, a major property developer in the town, was very ambitious and would have been Southport’s equivalent of the Chester’s Medieval Rows. However, the plan never came to fruition so Leyland Arcade remained as John Plummer’s elegant legacy to the town and is the only arcade in the area with original Victorian architecture. Plummer left the arcade in trust to Cambridge University and it was eventually bought in 1948 by Montague Burton, the tailors, who renamed it the Burton Arcade and renovated the interior, stripping the World War II black-out paint from the glass roof.
Wayfarers was born
Since 1976 Wayfarers Arcade has been managed by Lord Street Properties, (previously Broadbents of Southport) the current owners and it was renamed in the late 1970’s after Wayfarers Arts, then its major retailer.
Wayfarers Arcade is housed in a beautiful bright, airy glass-roofed hall just off Lord Street. The wide wing of the arcade has a barrel vaulted glazed roof with a span of 13m which makes it one of the widest arcades in England and Wales. This glazed roof compares both in size and form with the glazed roof of the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II in Milan, which has a 14.5m span.
The Wayfarers Arcade has always been known as a place to relax and not just to shop. An older generation will remember the bandstand with grand piano and white robed ladies who sang melodies twice a day and in recent years the current management has reintroduced the tradition of fine musical entertainment in the light and airy space beneath the glass roof.
Old meets new
New generations of visitors will be able to combine the best range of speciality shops and modern facilities with the atmosphere in one of the most authentic Victorian shopping arcades in the North of England.
With the sun streaming through the roof onto the arcade below, there cannot be a more pleasant way to pass a lazy afternoon and relax with a cappuccino, glass of wine, or a traditional afternoon tea at the Brasserie or Coffee Shop.
Special shops, special arcade
If you’re searching for a gift, or just feel like treating yourself and you want something that is different, unique and original, then Wayfarers Arcade is the place for you. With specialist shops that sell anything from designer fashions and shoes, unique handbags, jewellery, to art, furniture, antiquarian books, baby and childrens wear, crystal and glassware, gifts and cards, you will be guaranteed to find something exceptional.
