A stylish new hotel and bar has opened in Southport, thanks to 2 years of determination by a local family

THE Anelli Hotel and Amici Bar has opened at 1 to Avondale Road, in Southport Town Centre, perfectly positioned between the resort's historic Lord Street and the Promenade. The 9 bedroom facility is owned by Roberto Anelli, who is very well known in Southport for his time working at Casa Italia, on Lord Street, before going on to run the popular Mario and Roberto's Spaghetti House Restaurant, on the site of the current hotel, back in the 1990's and 2000's. Roberto then decided to take the plunge, carrying out a dramatic transformation of the building to create the stunning new Anelli Hotel and Amici Bar.

The new venture is finally open and being run by the Anelli family; Roberto, wife Karen, and children Adriana and Fabrizio. It follows frustrating delays caused by the Covid Pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. The venue is already proving to be popular with hotel guests with visitors enjoying watching Euro 2020 games in the bar with pints of Peroni, cocktails and a public favourite Beaver Town Gamma Ray on the large sun terrace outside.

Adriana Anelli said:- "We have finally opened our doors to all of our wonderful customers! It has been a long road with many setbacks in what are still unprecedented times. We were hoping to open around April last year, but then the Covid Pandemic and the 1st lockdown hit in February, and we had to close. Even the builders couldn't get hold of the materials they needed, and everything was delayed. We are finally open now and we are delighted! It is a 9 bedroom hotel, with all of the rooms en-suite. It is now on Booking.Com. It has a really modern feel. We have got a brilliant sun terrace outside. The terrace gets the sun on it all day, it's a real Sun trap. And because we are a couple of roads back from Lord Street, it is nice and quiet here too and we avoid all the hustle and bustle. It is much more chilled out here because we don't have all the noise from constant traffic driving past. With amici meaning friends in Italian, we are showing we are welcoming to everyone. As well as hotel guests, we are also open to all members of the public. The bar has a big area so when the Covid restrictions are eased later this month, we will look forward to being able to arrange functions and parties."

The Amici Bar is already enjoying a fine following through boasting a spacious sun terrace and showing all the games from Euro 2020. With their Italian and English roots, the family members are keeping their fingers crossed for England playing Italy in the final!

Adriana Anelli said:- "Now we are all enjoying creating something new and exciting in Southport."

Clarendon Fine Art launches at Liverpool ONE

GROSVENOR has announced the arrival of Clarendon Fine Art, the UK's largest art gallery group, to Liverpool ONE. The brand has opened a 2,000 sq ft gallery at 7 Peter's Lane, within the destination's premium lifestyle led district. The new Clarendon Fine Art site is the brand's 1st in Liverpool. It will serve as the Region's flagship, capturing the gallery's mission to make art accessible and enjoyable to all, from 1st time buyers to established collectors.

The newly launched gallery joins Clarendon Fine Art's portfolio of 20 galleries across the UK's most desirable locations. Clarendon specialises in original works, limited edition statement pieces, and rare signed editions from the world's most sought after contemporary artists. The bespoke space on Peter's Lane will house a continually changing collection of works, while offering personal consultation appointments both on-site and at clients' homes, with commission and installation services available as well.

Bringing the surrounding area to life, Grosvenor has unveiled a range of enlivenment initiatives enhancing the arcade style environment of Peter's Lane and adjacent Peter's Square. The programme has included the installation of new furnishings, grass coverings, vinyl artwork, and planters featuring foliage and pollinating flowers specially selected to support the area's important bee eco-system.

Alison Clegg, Managing Director, Asset Management, Grosvenor Britain and Ireland:- "Peter's Lane is a premium destination that attracts visitors from across the Region due to its unique line up of complementary brands that reflect an aspirational lifestyle. It is a key point of difference for Liverpool 1 that we actively and continually enhance through our leasing and investment strategy. The launch of Clarendon Fine Art's flagship brings a new and bespoke edge to the curated line up, while our enlivenment programme will allow visitors to enjoy their time in the premium environment of Peter's Lane even more."

Helen Swaby, Founder of Clarendon Fine Art, added:- "Our Clarendon Fine Art gallery locations are always very carefully selected, not only to best showcase our collections, but to ensure we are well positioned to establish strong relationships with the community through art. The cachet and atmosphere of Peter's Lane provide the perfect vantage point for us to forge these connections and share the joy of collecting."

Clarendon Fine Art joins its sister gallery Whitewall, at Liverpool ONE, which has successfully operated from an architect designed space, at 49 Paradise Street, for almost 10 years.