The Atkinson Southport, arts venue, Lord Street, Southport, Lancashire, England, UK, PR8 1DB

The Atkinson is a building on the east side of Lord Street extending round the corner into Eastbank Street, Southport, Sefton, Merseyside, England. 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. History The Atkinson was built following a donation of £6, 000 in 1875 by William Atkinson, a cotton manufacturer from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and a frequent visitor to Southport. The building was designed by Waddington and Son of Burnley, Lancashire and opened in 1878. The total cost, donated by Atkinson, was £15, 000. In 1923–24 the building was extended by incorporating an adjacent bank on the corner of Eastbank Street, that had been built for the Manchester and Liverpool District Bank in 1879. The interior of the combined building was remodeled in the late 20th century, and the interiors were internally integrated. As of 2014 the organisation of the library and art gallery is integrated with the Southport Arts Centre and it is known as The Atkinson. Original building The original building is constructed in sandstone with a slate roof in Neoclassical style. It is in three storeys and has a symmetrical three-bay front. The central bay projects forward and contains a square-headed doorway above which is a roundel and a band of three panels. It is flanked by pairs of engaged Corinthian columns, above which is an entablature with a frieze inscribed with "ATKINSON FREE LIBRARY" and a pediment.