Southport business news
Southport business news, newest first: openings, closures, awards and jobs across the area.
Top story
EFT Group's £9m Southport HQ Approved, £687k Grant Next
EFT Group can build its £9m headquarters on Wight Moss Way. On 5 November Cabinet weighs a grant from £686,850 Aldi paid, which must be spent by October 2028.
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Business
B&M Southport Moves to Chapel Street on 3 December
B&M's Lord Street store closes on 26 November and reopens on 3 December in the former New Look on Chapel Street. Dates, address and where to shop in between.
Data
Sefton Claimant Count September 2026: Up 130 to 6,430
Sefton's claimant count rose 130 in September to 6,430, the highest since April 2025. Most of the rise was in Bootle; Southport's seven wards added 20.
Formby
Formby Sports Bar on Brows Lane Can Open Until 12.30am
Sefton approved a sports bar with pool, snooker and darts above the shops at 27 Brows Lane, Formby. Customers are allowed in until 12.30am at weekends.
Data
Sefton Claimant Count August 2026: Up 225 to 6,410
Sefton's claimant count rose 225 in August to 6,410, its biggest monthly jump since July 2024. Kew and Norwood led the rise across Southport's seven wards.
Jobs
Sefton Claimant Count July 2026: 6,295, Under-25s Rise
Under-25s make up 1,340 of Sefton's 6,295 claimants, the highest July figure since 2021. The 25 to 49 group fell again. All seven Southport wards.
Business
Sefton Visitor Economy Hits £716.9m but Tourism Jobs Fall
Sefton's visitor economy grew 5% to £716.9m in 2025 on 7.79m visits, but tourism jobs slipped again to 6,160 and visitor numbers are still below 2023.
Business
Sir Henry Segrave Southport: Wetherspoon Plans Hotel Use
Wetherspoon will run the Lord Street pub as a hotel and has applied to change its licence. Representations close Friday 21 August. What is actually changing.
Business
Emily's Formby operator in liquidation a year after CVA
Rebel Restaurants Group Ltd, which trades as Emily's on Brows Lane, Formby, went into liquidation on 6 August, 13 months after a rescue deal.