It’s 2018 and Victoria Road in New Brighton feels dilapidated and depressed. A number of commercial properties are empty, whilst the pubs are overlooked by day-trippers headed to the promenade down the hill. New Brighton was no longer the booming seaside resort of yesteryear and as the big chains created a corporate utopia down on the front, Victoria Road remained a forgotten victim of the town’s decline.
But then a revolution happened. Local visionary and fire starter Dan Davies decided to make a stand. After years of success in the alcohol licencing industry, instead of choosing to live lavishly he decided to put all his money, time and effort into his hometown. Fuelled by his frustration towards how New Brighton had regressed from being one of the UK’s most thriving resorts, he took action.
It started with street art — employing local and internationally renowned artists to breathe colour and life into the underdog that was Victoria Road. Estate agents became art galleries, old banks became bars and boarded up buildings became eateries. The Victoria Quarter was born. As the project gathered pace, a unique eco-system of independent businesses developed and a new sense of community was instilled.
Today, almost eight years after Dan’s mission to spark an independent revival in his hometown, Victoria Road is a thriving hotspot of colour, character and community. Countless good times have been enjoyed, new friendships formed and a deep sense of pride has become unbreakable — as we stand together in defiance whilst the tyrants that run the country try to break us down.
If you’re visiting Victoria Road for the day, there are some great options for breakfast or brunch. Becky’s Brekky offers incredible value hearty breakfasts, whilst a couple of doors down the super cool Social 114 is more of an avocado on sourdough bread kind of vibe. Meanwhile, Paula’s Smuggler’s Cave cafe sits somewhere in the middle and has won an award. All three are great choices to get your day started.
If craft beer is your thing and you’re looking for some alternative beverages, The Bow Legged Beagle and Home Brew Tap both provide a welcoming atmosphere and every kind of beer, ale, stout and cider imaginable! During the summer months they become rather continental — with connoisseurs sat outside, enjoying their drink of choice whilst basking in the rays.
There are some cracking pubs on Victoria Road! The Perch Rock and The Harbour must be given huge respect as these charismatic venues have been standing strong on Victoria Road long before the Victoria Quarter was a thing. Standing the test of time, both The Perch Rock and The Harbour are legendary amongst locals and laughs are guaranteed!
New Brighton Hotel Bar & Lounge has also been a long-standing feature on Victoria Road and it has evolved into a top destination alongside the street’s vibrant new energy. The stylish venue offers great food and drinks, live sport, live music, venue hire and a hotel upstairs if you fancy staying making it a proper seaside break. Just over the road you’ll find The Olive Tree — a restaurant offering quality cuisine.
Dan’s flagship venue back in 2018 was The James Atherton — a modern tavern named after the man who founded New Brighton in the 1800s. The ‘JA’ is a great destination for a good pint and live sport, whilst you’ll likely find it booming with great tunes on Friday and Saturday nights. In an act of defiance against the government, Dan made this pub famous by renaming it The Three Bellends and The Two Helmets during Covid and then The George Orwell in response to Digital ID.
His other venue, Rockpoint Records, is the epitome of what The Victoria Quarter is about. With stripped back brick walls, graffiti and a soundtrack to match, Rockpoint Records is a cool coffee shop by day and a vibrant hotspot by night. Some of the best solo artists in the region perform at weekends and it’s also home to Hella Dough, whose wood fired pizzas are the best in Wirral according to many reviews!
Riptide next door is the latest addition to the street — a vibrant bar with live music that also offers pool and darts on the second floor. Riptide’s large events space to the rear has already hosted some incredible gigs — with the likes of Space and Headfeeder putting on sold-out gigs. Riptide stays true to Victoria Road’s independent ethos and also its creativity — with art displayed on the walls.
Victoria Road, with all its colourful street art and colourful characters, has become somewhat bohemian and this has attracted Hatch art gallery and exhibition space. Meanwhile, its neighbour District House is an ‘art deli bar’ that offers retro art, artisan food and premium drinks — owned by music legend Jayne Casey, the vibe is on point and the DJ nights are off the scale!
Speaking of which, a visit to Victoria Road isn’t complete without experiencing Tallulah’s Emporium — a quirky off-the-wall hangout that hosts funky vinyl DJ nights and some of the finest jazz musicians in the region. Check out their imaginative cocktail list, including their intriguing range of Old Fashioned twists, and get your groove on to music of the highest order!
Thanks to Dan Davies’ vision some eight years ago, Victoria Road has been revived and transformed into a vibrant destination — indeed, huge public events and mini festivals have taken place on the street, with thousands of people in attendance. Dan has battled cancer and financial struggles in recent times, yet the concept and community he has built stands strong.
Finally, whilst this is a feature about Victoria Road’s revival, let’s not forget all the other fantastic businesses that have been working hard to make New Brighton a go-to destination once again. You’ll find gems by the train station, off the beaten track, on the promenade, on Magazine Lane, Seabank Road and further up on Rake Lane, Telegraph Road and Albion Street — too many to mention, but I urge you to explore!
New Brighton is a truly amazing place to live and I encourage anyone to visit. Once one of the UK’s most popular seaside holiday resorts, it became run down — but it’s fighting back! With the promenade, beach and captivating views over to Liverpool, beautiful parks, a cinema, theatre, loads of fun things to do, so many incredible places to eat and drink and a strong sense of community, it’s safe to say New Brighton is most definitely back on the map!
