Iconic Town Hall venue acquired by two experienced industry heavyweights who look set to transform the much-loved site into a high-end destination bar and restaurant.
Former Gusto Albert Dock General Manager Lisa Dixon and business partner Natalie Doughty have taken over the well-known ‘Town Hall’ venue space in Wavertree.
The highly-experienced pair are combining their knowledge to create a quality bar, restaurant and event space for the people of Wavertree and beyond.
The Grade 2 listed space, which fell into disrepair in the early 1970’s before it was repurposed as a bar and function space, has changed ownership several times over the decades and been sat empty for over two years.
Now with the support of local community group’s including’ We Love Wavertree’, Lisa and Natalie aim to “bring the Town Hall back to life” with their exciting new concept.
Lisa Dixon said ‘Our aim is to transform the current site which needs both major internal and external refurbishment,’ said Lisa. ‘We really do appreciate its importance to the local community, so whilst we are aiming to create a classic restaurant with a contemporary feel, we will be taking great care to preserve as many of the original features as possible and blend the historic elements of this beautiful building into our theme.’
With over fifty years of combined experience at some of the UK’s leading hospitality groups, both Lisa and Natalie know the industry well.
‘The hospitality industry can be tough but we both love what we do,’ commented Natalie. ‘Our aim is to create a relaxed and welcoming hub for the whole community with high-end service and superb food. We really want to build on the general resurgence of the area and help bring the High Street back to life.’
The project has the support of Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, who said “It is fantastic news for this community, the High Street needs the Town Hall to reopen. I personally have fabulous memories of this place and I am sure other people do to, I wish the ladies good luck”
Having managed the opening and running of the most famous, innovative and iconic independent restaurants and bars in Liverpool the girls are in a great position to give this beleaguered site the focus and drive it needs.
‘Our extensive experience of the industry gives us the confidence to believe this magnificent building coupled with the provision of traditional classic food created by an award-winning chef and served by award winning team will be a recipe for success,’ said Lisa.
‘Together we have an enviable reputation for creating a welcoming, inclusive and exciting atmosphere for staff to work in and customers to dine in. We have already been inundated with requests for bookings and functions from our existing customer base alongside requests from staff and suppliers from the industry who want to work with us.’
‘We intend the venue first and foremost to be a restaurant and bar. There will be two dining areas on the ground floor one with the capacity for 50 to 60 covers, this will be used as our day to day restaurant. The second space to the rear of the building which is a larger area has the capacity for 80 to 90 covers. This will be used at busier periods for the restaurant and at weekends or throughout the week for larger parties.’
‘The function space on the 1st floor has a capacity of 100+ covers for special occasions – weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, christenings and corporate parties seeking a more opulent experience.’
With work already underway the girls are aiming to get the new concept fully up and running by pre-race season.
‘We really want to be open in time for the Grand National festival in Spring,’ said Natalie. ‘As we all know, Liverpool comes alive for the races and we want to be able to offer locals and visitors a fabulous experience and show them just what the city has to offer.’
