The venue has become a favourite for locals in one seaside town
Bus Yard directors (L-R) Andy Laird, Anthony Smith, Darren Ryder(Image: Andy Laird)
A popular Merseyside venue is preparing to close its doors until next year. The Bus Yard began as a pop-up on Crosby Promenade and quickly became a popular summer destination.
Positioned at the beach front of the Marine Lake at Crosby Coastal Park, The Bus Yard operates out of a converted bus bar with seating on top of the bus with views over the sea. There is also a large cornered-off seating area with beach huts and shelters with views of the coast and Anthony Gormley’s ‘Iron Men’ sculptures.
Street food from local suppliers is served out of a converted shipping container. Live acoustic music is also played regularly off the top of the bus.
The Bus Yard is only open during April and September however, as per its agreement with Sefton Council. Tomorrow will be the last chance to visit this year, and the venue reminded its customers of this in a humorous fashion with an old video of one of its directors, Andy Laird, braving the wind and rain at an empty Bus Yard during a previous spell of bad weather.
It comes after The Met Office issued a yellow warning for wind, starting from tomorrow night at 8pm.
In the video, Andy laughed as he walked on the windy coastline and said: “You were all here in the f***ing sun – where are you now? F***ing hell.”
The caption of the post added: “Today’s the last chance to catch us at Crosby Marina! With tomorrow’s weather looking a little stormy with a whole load of rain like this iconic throwback, our bus will be transforming into the Liverpool Duck Bus overnight — sailing into hiding until next summer.
“So come down, get your final bus yard fix, and help us say goodbye to summer ’25 in style! We can’t wait to welcome you all back next year.
“Thanks for everything — we truly appreciate you all! Love, The Bus Yard gang.”
The post received over 700 likes, with many adding laughing emojis. One commented: “Best part of a Crosby summer.”
Another said: “Love it! See you next summer.” A third added: “My favourite video Andy.”
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Another person suggested that, following The Bus Yard’s collaboration with Spudman, that they should do a ‘Spud Yard’ for the winter.
Back in 2022, the business secured a three-year agreement with Sefton Council to operate for six months between April and September.
With that contract up for renewal this year, a new agreement was announced in April. The council has granted the business a nine-year lease for The Bus Yard.
This will allow The Bus Yard to trade from April until September each year. Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills, said: “Crosby Coastal Park is a valued asset for both the Council and the local community, and we’re delighted to offer a long-term lease to a brilliant local business.
“Through partnerships such as this, we can help create jobs and offer a boost to the local economy as well as enhance our visitor attractions, complementing our longer-term vision to get the right offer for everyone while protecting our special coastal landscape.
“I am delighted that the lease has been signed, and I look forward to seeing The Bus Yard reach its full potential and serve our valued communities for many years to come.”
Andy added: “We’re excited to be back at Crosby Coastal Park and thrilled to have signed a long-term deal with the Council.
“The nine-year lease offers us the security to look at how we can invest in the site, improve our offering, and continue to play a big part in the local community.”