Southport is increasingly becoming a ‘left-behind’ town that faces a chicken-and-egg problem: a lack of jobs means skilled young people often leave the area for work, resulting in a stagnating economy. This is most evident on Lord Street where retail spaces are empty due to changes in online shopping and package holidays.

As coastal places like Southport try to ‘level up’ they need strategic effort and infrastructure to produce a generative ‘civic ecology’ where diverse creative and digital entrepreneurs can start and scale new industries locally. The Engine Room has been designed by experts at the Manchester Urban Institute working with Southport BID and the Wayfarers to experiment with new and creative mixed uses for spaces like these.

We’re not just activating a space, we want to kickstart a cultural Renniassance that will reignite the entire town!

We offer easy to join memberships to suit your hybrid working needs. We charge a flat rate of £50 per month (inc. VAT).

Other rooms and suites are bookable by members for low additional fees as needed. We also offer public events, classes and opportunities to gather informally in-person in our Southport space or online.

To hire our event spaces, contact ERIC - prices start at £50 per half day for members.

We aim to open The Engine Room for six months beginning in January, after which we have social enterprise funding lined up to help us ‘scale’ to the rest of the Arcade.

To keep our doors open we need around £5,000. Join our Crowdfunder to contribute and follow our journey.