What is the Engine Room in Southport?

ON Thursday, 21 March 2024, the official opening of The Engine Room took place within the historic Wayfarers Arcade. The venue is located within a former dance studio, provides a pilot for the idea that we can use empty spaces, especially retail and High Street units, to spark change and innovation. But what is The Engine Room, and how will it help Southport? The project is set up to give the area an all inclusive location to allow businesses of all sizes and also local organisations, along with individuals a space to help develop ideas, network, hold workshops and more. It's main aim though is to help diversify the economy of the Town and help to retain young people, so that the area can then look beyond the seasonal economy for growth. The idea follows on from a consultation run by Southport's BID, with Manchester academic, Dr Eric Lybeck, to explore application of his prize winning plans to reactivate so called:- 'left behind' Towns through creative schemes. More information can be found online at:- Arcade-Project.Com, but we will be doing a more indeph report very soon on this fantastic new venture. On a side note we have to mention Megafauna, who provided some amazing vegan catering on the night. Please do let us know what are you thought about this project by emailing our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.

Classic Car and Motorcycle Transport Fundraiser in Southport returns for:- 'biggest and best event'
Report by Andrew Brown and photos by Patrick Trollope

PEOPLE are invited to enjoy the 6th Classic Car and Motorcycle Transport Fundraiser in Southport Town Centre this summer. Admission is free.

Southport Auto Centre will once again host the busy event at its premises at 31 Wright Street PR9 0TL, as well as across surrounding car parks, between:- 10am and 4pm on:- Saturday, 22 June 2024. The road will be closed on the day.

All money raised will go to the Macmillan cancer charity.

Local radio station Mighty FM will be on site again this year and there will be a host of entertainment on offer.

People with classic cars or motorbikes are invited to bring them along. There is no booking needed, just turn up.

Southport Auto Centre's  owner Chris Regan said:- "We are planning an even bigger and better event this year! It keeps growing and getting more and more popular every time. This will be our 6th 1. We host the event inside and outside Southport Auto Centre, and also utilise six or seven neighbouring car parks near us, while Wright Street will also be closed during the day. 1 of our highlights will be a vintage fire engine from the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland which will be giving people rides along Lord Street in return for donations. We will have local historian Keith Hick giving talks about Sir Henry Segrave, who broke the land speed record on Southport Beach. There will be all kinds of things going on. People can have the opportunity to win some great raffle prizes and exclusive items to buy. Refreshments will be available all day. If anyone has a vintage car or motorbike, we would love to see you bring it down between 9am and 9.30am, before the road is closed. There is no need to book a space in advance, just turn up, and we will accommodate you. The Classic Car and Motorcycle Transport Fundraiser is a fundraiser for the Macmillan cancer charity. We raised nearly £3,000 for Macmillan last year thanks to the generosity of everyone who came, and we would love to raise even more for them this year."

Chris Regan has run Southport Auto Centre for the past 23 years as a professional, friendly, family run business.

It is the only independent Volvo specialist in the North West.

Fully trained technicians use only the latest technology and equipment, such as the Volvo VIDA diagnostics system (vehicle information and diagnostics after sales) and TIE (Technical Information Exchange) which enables them to diagnose faults on the complete range of Volvo vehicles.  For further information about the event call:- 01704884418.