One of Morecambe’s best-kept secrets has had a makeover and a new name as part of calls to revitalise the West End.
The row of shops on West Street is now called ‘The Veranda’ and after a revamp, landlord Nick Smith calls them “the shiniest row of shops in the West End, if not Morecambe”.
Nick, who also owns the Queens Market building in Morecambe town centre, hopes that by ‘doing up’ his seven shops located under a canopy opposite the old Trinity Methodist Church, it will inspire other property owners to do the same.
He said the name ‘The Veranda’ came from a conversation he had with former Simply Red drummer Chris Joyce, who now teaches drumming in the West End of Morecambe.
Nick also said he has kept the rent low to give start-ups like barber Zoe Miller the chance to get a foot on the small business ladder.
LISTEN to Nick Smith and Zoe Miller talking about The Veranda
“When I was growing up the West End was the busy place,” said Nick.
“I always remembered this row of shops. It always felt a bit dark and dingy.
“I inherited some money from my granny and these shops came up for sale, and I bought them about 20 years ago.
“I looked at them and thought these were built as little tiny shops, butchers, greengrocers, barbers, that type of thing.
“I thought I’m going to put them back, charge £150 a month for them, exactly the same rent as they were 20 years ago. I want to support business and allow start-ups to come in and give it a go.
“I was talking to Chris Joyce who’s got a drumming school opposite, in the old church, and he said when he was young, he used to hang out under a canopy and we called it The Veranda. I thought, that’s a good name.
“I did (the shops up) because of pride in this town. The West End of Morecambe is lacking that pride. The shops aren’t looked after. Some of it’s absentee landlords, some of it’s owners who don’t want to let those properties because they are worried tenants are going to do damage.
“Let’s give people a chance so they can build their dream.
“Let’s make Morecambe’s West End the best again. It’s those small businesses that will bring vibrancy and life back to Morecambe. The West End always was the best end. It’s where people came to buy their shoes, clothes and food.
“Things are starting to happen in this area. We need the other shop units to look very similar. It hasn’t cost a lot. A £600 investment for what’s now the shiniest row of shops in the West End. it could all look like that.
“I’m a responsible landlord, I don’t want to put the rent up because of greed, and that’s why I keep it as it is.”
Zoe, from ZM Barbers, said: “To take that big step was scary but having the likes of Nick who gave me that support and showed me I can do it, and my family and friends behind me, has been amazing.
“I grew up in Morecambe, my mum’s got a hotel round the corner, the Balmoral guest house. I love Morecambe but we need to get it right again.
“Nick giving me this place at the rent he’s given me at, not a lot of places would have taken somebody on who’s never had a business before or had that experience. But Nick’s believed in me and made it possible. I think we should make the West End a good place again.”
Other shop units at The Veranda are occupied by The Nib Crib, the Your InnerSense yoga studio, gifts and eco household shop, Molly Bland’s artist studio, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Morecambe Bay Poverty Truth Commission, Lancaster CVS and Stanley’s.
Nick is also known as the man who singlehandedly restored the Queen’s Market on Victoria Street. He has renovated the former cinema, squash club and nightclub and hopes to get it open again as a community hub where local people can go to develop skills in art, performance, science, technology and much more.