Marketing agency named as first tenant for landmark digital and creative hub

The first tenant has been secured for a new digital and creative hub in Southport, marking a significant milestone in the continued regeneration of the town.

Sefton Council has confirmed the practical completion of the Enterprise Arcade, a project funded via the Southport Town Deal by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, along with confirmation that Hatters Digital Marketing Agency will be the first tenant of the £1.5m venture.

Part of the Southport Town Investment Plan, the 8,000 sq ft building provides workspace and modern amenities for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in the digital and creative sectors. 

Sarah Jackson, Hatters Digital Agency’s founder and owner, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to be the first tenant in such a forward-thinking space at the heart of Southport.

“As a digital agency, we thrive on creativity and collaboration and the new hub on Eastbank Street offers the perfect environment to grow, connect, and share ideas with others who share that mindset.

“This move is a real commitment to our future in Southport and a chance to be part of something bigger, a catalyst for positive change in the town.

“The vision of creating a supportive, accessible, and innovative space that nurtures local talent and encourages entrepreneurship aligns perfectly with our values at Hatter’s. Southport needs this now more than ever, and we’re proud to be part of it from the very beginning.”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, added: “Southport’s Enterprise Arcade is part of our ambitious, long-term investment strategy to transform Sefton’s town centres into thriving, collaborative spaces for modern businesses and for modern living.

“We are particularly proud to have completed the scheme on budget, which is a challenge given continued inflationary pressures in the construction industry, especially for a project comprising refurbishment works within a heritage asset such as the Atkinson and Town Hall complex.

“Our working partnership with Skyline, the main contractor on the scheme, has been a successful one.

“With Hatters’ move into the Enterprise Arcade, we’re about to see our vision of creating innovative hubs for local businesses to grow and thrive become a reality.

“Vibrant, flexible workspaces like this are essential to attracting talent, encouraging innovation, and ensuring our towns are dynamic places to live, work, do business and flourish.”

The Enterprise Arcade complements other major Town Deal regeneration initiatives in Southport. These include the development of the £73m Marine Lake Events Centre, which is underway, and the transformation of Southport Market into a modern food hall. 

“It’s great to see the work Sefton Council is doing in Southport,” said Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport. “The investment in the Enterprise Arcade scheme is well received, on top of multimillion-pound investments in the Market Quarter and the new Exhibition Centre.

“The facilities are world class, the view down King Street phenomenal, and the improvement to the town centre is notable. 

“In addition, the council’s state-led investment programme will have a hugely positive impact on the ability of the town to attract private sector backing.

“By working together with partners, great things are happening in Southport, and I’m so very happy to be able to support it.”

Rob Fletcher, chair of the Southport Town Deal board, said: “The Town Deal board continues to support delivery of all of the funded projects, which remain integral to the future of Southport, its town centre and its economy.”