'The Box Yard,' a the new shipping container venue that's the 1st of its kind in Liverpool

LIVERPOOL'S 1st ever shipping container venue has opened on Great Howard Street, just north of Liverpool city Centre, and there are huge plans to make it 1 of the City’s most exciting and diverse events venues. Box Yard is an open air space, that brings together street food, drinks, booths, a roof terrace (coming soon) and a diverse programme of events featuring some of the best local and international live acts and DJs. The 1st venue of its kind in Liverpool, Box Yard is located near Benson Signs on the dock road and it has already hosted some incredible sell out events, with huge events booked in throughout the summer. Big screens have been installed for The Euros and the sell out Gin N Juice hip hop event Other big events include:- Freedom Festival, the Official Launch Party, that was held on 25 June 2021, Chic It that took place on 26 June 2021, and up and coming events:- Locura, on 3 July, Vadella, on 10 July, and Estilo that will be held on 31 July 2021. The venue also has regular themed quiz events every Wednesday and they are open to local promoters who are interested in hosting their events there too. The venue’s Co-Owner, James Daly, is the Founder of Jaly Concerts and puts on huge events internationally, so there are plenty of exciting events in the pipeline. The venue’s other Co-Owner, Kev Odger, a top techno promoter and Founder of the Peach events brand, has a strong reputation for attracting some of the biggest DJs in the world to the City, such as:- Ben Klock and Nicole Moudaber.

James Daly said:- "The shipping container venue concept has really taken off in other parts of the world so we’re really excited about bringing this to Liverpool. Some of the events we have planned are huge and we’re looking to make Box Yard one of the best venues in the City, with a diverse range of events and something for everyone."

Kev Odger said:- "It’s a perfect partnership because James regularly sells out events such as tribute festivals and orchestral rendition events and I can bring some of the best DJs in the world to the venue. Let’s not forget the local talent though; Liverpool is a hotbed of incredible music artists and DJs so we’re looking to give them a platform to showcase their skills too. We’ve had some amazing local acts on here already."

With live music, DJs and events hosted on Fridays and Saturdays, themed Brunch Parties on Sundays and other regular events such as themed quiz nights on Wednesdays, there’s a diverse programme of entertainment, at Box Yard. In terms of food and drink, you can expect street food such as pizzas and wings and a well stocked pop up bar, whilst there are amazing views of the surrounding rustic buildings and the City to the South. North Liverpool is seeing an exciting resurgence; with venues such as:- Invisible Wind Factory, North Shore Troubadour, Meraki and Ten Streets Social, leading the way for regeneration, and Box Yard offers another exciting destination to the area. With big plans in the pipeline for the venue and other regeneration plans in discussion, North Liverpool may well take over as the new hotspot for events and parties in the City.

For more information check out their Page on Facebook.

Launch date confirmed for new look Southport Market

THE brand new Southport Market will officially open its doors in mid July, in time for a scorching summer of tasty treats, thirst quenching drinks and much more. A host of traders, including a newly revealed Pacific Rim and Sushi inspired food stall by the Vincent Hotel, will be ready to welcome visitors to the incredible market space the week commencing 19 July 2021, following months of planning and refurbishment works. All 10 stalls and traders, as well as a feature bar and drinks space, have now been confirmed as residents of the North West's newest food and drink experience, combining an incredible mix of local talent from across Southport and an array of international delicacies at the heart of the resort's revamped market quarter. The ₤1.4m scheme, which is a key enabler and an early part of Sefton Council's Covid19 recovery plan for Southport, is also supported by a flexible events area able to host high quality pop up markets along with other events.

Paul Adams, owner of the Vincent Hotel, said he was delighted to reveal an expansion to his team of talented chefs will be taking up residency at Southport Market. He said:- "There's a new Vincent in town! We have been working hard with Sefton Council to open a new food offering within the market. Pacific by Vincent will open alongside 9 other local vendors and we are so excited to welcome residents and visitors to what is an amazing regeneration of the market. Pacific will be serving many of our popular Vincent speciality dishes, from our beautiful salmon sushi rolls to our 'gringo' Sushi range (for non fish lovers) and Pacific Rim inspired food including our award winning duck spring rolls. We cannot wait to welcome our existing regulars and hopefully many more new customers to this exciting venture which is a great step in boosting the local economy and tourism in Southport."

The full list of confirmed traders is as follows:-

► Blackhurst Butchers.

► 600 degrees (Pizzas, Italian)

► Hector's Mexicana (Mexican street food)

► Pacific By Vincent (Pacific Rim inspired foods)

► Down and Oot (Canadian steaks, poutine, hot sandwiches)

► King St. Bakery (Portuguese tarts)

► Messy Moments (Desserts)

► Birkdale Pie and Mash (Assorted pies)

► Allotment - (American Burgers et al)

► Pitamu (Greek and Mediterranean)

An incredible feature bar, described as the centrepiece of the new Southport Market crown, will be managed by the Mikhail Leisure group, famous for the successful Bold Hotel, Punch Tarmey's and much more.

Andrew Mikhail, owner of The Mikhail group, said:- "Yet again, the great team at Sefton Council have had fabulous vision with their regeneration plans for the market. Not only creating jobs for locals, but I'm certain that this will bring people from far and wide to Southport."

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said:- "July will be a very exciting time and we cannot wait to welcome thousands of visitors through the Market's gates. We are delighted to see all the hard work of our Tourism team and partners coming to fruition and to be able to complete this project on time and to such an incredible standard is a testament to our commitment to Southport and Sefton. Every single trader comes to the market with a passion and desire to ensure this project is a success and we are confident this will be one of the North West's best food and drink gems. We look forward to working with our traders and stall holders at what is an iconic location in the heart of Southport and, most importantly, welcoming residents and visitors to enjoy the space we have worked so hard to create."

The Southport Market project has been led by Sefton Council and partners, supported by funding from the Liverpool City Region and Southport Town Deal. While we are working towards this opening, the date is subject to change pending any further changes to easing of lockdown restrictions by Public Health England and Central Government.