SOUTHPORT BRICKS
The Atkinson 1874
My View
The Atkinson is one of the most lively buildings in the town with all sorts going on. The Library itself is quite impressive and always looks very busy when i have been in there, its the real hub of Southport.
I have yet to experience the theatre but have been upstairs to one or two exhibitions and it also has a shop which sells Southport souvenirs and a nice little cafe.
Plenty to like about the building itself and you will never get bored of seeing the old 1874 fireplace in the foyer!
The Atkinson is a building on the east side of Lord Street extending round the corner into Eastbank Street.
The building is a combination of two former buildings, the original Atkinson Art Gallery and Library that opened in 1878, and the adjacent Manchester and Liverpool District Bank that was built in 1879. These were combined in 1923–24 and the interiors have been integrated. The original building is in Neoclassical style, and the former bank is in Renaissance style.
The art gallery and library has been integrated with the Southport Arts Centre and is now known as The Atkinson.
The two former buildings are each recorded in the National Heritage List for England as designated Grade II listed buildings.
The ground floor of the former bank is used as a public library. In the floors above are a museum and an exhibition space. These house collections of fine art, decorative art, historical items, and exhibitions of items relating to Egyptology.
The arts centre forms part of the complex known as The Atkinson.
