Digz’n Lidz, a remote-controlled experience cafe promising a “very different kind of family experience” in Southport town centre, has officially opened its doors on Wednesday, September 2. Visitors can get behind the controls of their own miniature construction vehicles at the new independent business, created by long-term friends and dads-of-two Danny Melia and Mark Gaudie.
The pair have spent the past few months transforming one of the front units of the former Debenhams building. Situated behind huge floor-to-ceiling windows on Lord Street, in the seaside town's Northern Quarter, Danny and Mark said Digz’n Lidz was already attracting plenty of attention from passers-by long before today. As work progressed, people have been stopping to peer through the windows, ask questions and find out what is taking shape inside.
Concept unlike anything else locally
Mark, 45, who lives in Crosby, and Danny, 33, from Fazakerley, said that although the concept is simple, they believe it is unlike anything else currently on offer locally. Danny told the ECHO: “We’ve honestly been overwhelmed by the buzz and support we’ve had from the local community already. The amount of people asking questions, messaging us and wanting to know exactly what Digz’n Lidz is going to be has been amazing.”
“We’ve been working really hard behind the scenes to create something that’s a little bit different - somewhere that both adults and children can come along, have a great time, enjoy some food and drinks, and experience the RC side of things.”
The ‘RC’ in Digz’n Lidz stands for remote-controlled, with visitors able to book a session and take a seat at one of 14 stools positioned around a specially constructed RC digger sandpit. From there, they can choose their vehicle and get to work operating remote-controlled diggers, dump trucks, articulated trucks, wheel loaders and tower cranes.
Not just for children
It isn’t just an activity for children. Danny and Mark said they have already seen strong enthusiasm among adults, including a group of three men in their 60s who recently called in to say they could not wait for the opening. Behind the main play area will be a cafe serving hot food and drinks, including toasted paninis and coffees, which customers can order while they play. Although RC sessions need to be booked, people will also be able to simply walk in, grab a seat in one of the booths and enjoy something to eat or drink without taking part in the activity.
Accessibility has also been a major consideration. There are no steps inside the venue, while an accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities are available. Wheelchair users can also directly access the sandpit and take part in the experience. The walls of the venue feature a mural painted by local artist Keith Pollitt, adding another “distinctly Southport touch” to it all.
First tenant in former Debenhams
For the two owners, opening Digz’n Lidz represents the culmination of months of work – much of it carried out themselves. The pair have put their own money and time into the project alongside a business loan, while continuing to work their HGV jobs. Mark has a daughter, who is 10, and a six-year-old son, while Danny has a 12-year-old daughter and his son is six. Danny left his HGV driving job on Friday, August 14, to concentrate on Digz’n Lidz full-time.
Mark said: "We love Southport. It’s somewhere we both have happy memories of coming to for days out with our families when we were children, and now we love bringing our families."
"Lord Street is beautiful, with lots of excellent shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. We thought the street would really benefit from somewhere where people could come in and do something really fun."
Digz’n Lidz will also become the first tenant to open inside the former Debenhams building, a property which holds a special place in the memories of generations of Southport residents. The impressive glass-fronted Lord Street section dates from between 1888 and 1900, while the part facing Stanley Street was constructed earlier in the Victorian period. The building is considered to have significant historical and commercial value and has long been an important part of the town’s story. Danny and Mark are keen to become part of its next chapter.
