Mr Thompsons Bakery

Right, if you're heading towards Ormskirk Road from Churchtown, you absolutely HAVE to stop at Mr Thompsons Bakery. It's not actually in Southport town centre, but I still think it's worth listing. They do proper bread, the kind that actually tastes of something. They've got a good rating online too, 4.8 stars from 37 reviews, which is usually a good sign.

They've got all the usual stuff you'd expect – cakes, sandwiches, that sort of thing. But the bread is what makes them stand out. I usually grab a couple of loaves for the week. It's a bit pricier than the supermarket stuff, mind you, but you get what you pay for.

Opening times are pretty standard for a local bakery. They're open every day except Sunday, closing up shop at 4:30pm most days and early at 1:30pm on Saturdays. Give them a ring on 01695 578570 if you're running late, they might hold something for you.

One thing to keep in mind: parking can be a bit tight right outside the shop, especially on a Saturday. You might have to park down one of the side streets.