Skip to main content

The Award-winning social enterprise A Great Little Place is opening a new café in The Atkinson.

From September A Great Little Place, run by Autism Initiatives, will take pride of place in its new home in the Lord Street venue that welcomes 500,000 visitors a year to its Museum, Galleries, Library, Theatre and Shop.

For The Atkinson it will mean working with an established local brand that is known for its high quality and value for money. We are able to work with A Great Little Place to maximise the programme with pre-show meals, themed events, festival food and more.

The two organisations have shared values and vision. They will be an extension of The Atkinson family and together we will be able to provide the best in quality to visitors.

Sue Yarnell, Manager of A Great Little Place said:

We’ve steadily been growing our reputation and customers from our first café in 2010, so moving to such a central and historic location is a fantastic development. It will provide even more opportunities for the people with autism we support in work placements.”

Emma Anderson, Director The Atkinson said:

“This is a really exciting partnership between two organisations who have a track record in working to improve lives in Sefton. A Great Little Place has a fantastic reputation and we are delighted to have them as part of our offer. They will be a massive asset to our visitors and will mean we can offer the very best food and beverage experience for day visitors, as well as increasing our capacity for pre-show meals and corporate events.”

This partnership is about more than just a café – its also about working together to improve the lives of people with autism and their families and by having the organisations together , new opportunities for training, work experience and training are going to be explored.

A Great Little Place will relinquish its lease on Houghton Street and staff will be relocated to the new town centre venue.

On Saturday 30 September at a special Coast themed Family Fun Day the actor, writer and producer Henry Normal (The Atkinson’s new patron) will officially open the cafe and the new Museum corridor that brings the story of the coast and all its creatures to life.

Keep an eye out in local press and online at theatkinson.co.uk  or agreatlittleplace.org  for more information on the new partnership and the opening event.

Latest News

VIEW ALL
9 July 2026

Humanitarian, inspirational speaker and tennis coach Sam Jalloh presents new ‘Yes I Can’ show in Southport

Award-winning humanitarian, inspirational speaker and tennis coach Sam Jalloh will be presenting his brand-new show on Friday

8 July 2026

Sefton Young Artist of the Year 2026: Winners Announced!

We are delighted to announce the winners and highly commended young artists of this year's Sefton Young Artist of the Year competition.

7 July 2026

Southport's Golfing History

6 July 2026

Summer Reading Challenge

This year’s challenge is Read to the Beat!, delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK.

1 July 2026

Join our team:
Customer Assistants

We’re looking for friendly and reliable Customer Assistants to join our team. Could it be you?

25 June 2026

The Atkinson Celebrates Armed Forces Day

The Atkinson is proud to join the celebrations of Armed Forces Day and will be partially open on Sunday for a day of remembrance and discovery.

13 June 2026

Inspirations: Poetry & Creative Writing Competition 2026

Respond to artworks in our Taking Centre Stage: Female Artists in The Atkinson’s Collection Exhibition and win prizes donated by the Arts Society Southport.

9 June 2026

Southport:
That’s Entertainment

The Atkinson awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to explore Southport’s seaside entertainment heritage

3 June 2026

Young Curator Summer Sessions Sign Up Now Open!

Sign up for this years Young Curator Summer sessions!

2 June 2026

The Sefton Open 2026: A Student's Perspective

A guest review by University of Liverpool Work Placement student, Niamh Humphrey. 

21 May 2026

Joanne Chamberlain awarded Bene Merito honorary distinction

In recognition of outstanding service to the Polish community in Sefton.

14 May 2026

Observer Anthony Burgess Prize for Arts Journalism 2026

Julia Clayton is named runner-up for her feature on The Atkinson 150th Anniversary Exhibition

8 May 2026

Sefton Open 2026 Awards

The Sefton Open 2026 celebrates local artistic talent at The Atkinson, with People’s Prize and Judges’ favourites now announced.

1 May 2026

May We Entertain You? What's On This Month

From fascinating local history to family favourites, live music, tribute shows and top‑class comedy, May is packed with unmissable events. Here’s what to look forward to this month.

27 April 2026

New family theatre show ‘Ice Age Adventure Live’ premieres

Brace yourselves for a mammoth mission!

23 April 2026

World-class circus acts to ‘Roll up!’
in Southport for May Bank Holiday Big Top Festival  

8 April 2026

Don't Look Back In Anger: Marc Burrows Brings The Britpop Show to Southport

Award-winning writer, comedian and music journalist Marc Burrows is delighted to be bringing The Britpop Show to The Atkinson.

25 March 2026

Easter Weekend Opening Hours

Check out our updated opening hours for Easter weekend

24 March 2026

Blackeyed Theatre’s New Sherlock Holmes Thriller

Blackeyed Theatre are bringing major UK tour of Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty to The Atkinson

19 March 2026

Spectacular open-air ballroom Cristal Palace comes to Southport

Town Hall Gardens to be transformed into a glittering open-air ballroom for the spectacular Cristal Palace