Steven Gerrard's bar brasserie move
England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard has teamed up with Southport hotelier Paul Adams to launch a chain of New York "hipster bar" inspired restaurants.
The pair are currently refurbishing the Michelin Bib Gourmand Warehouse Brasserie in Southport, Gerrard's favourite restaurant, into their first outlet of the Warehouse Kitchen & Bar, which is due to open for business at the end of April.
Gerrard, who will begin playing for England in the World Cup this June, said he would have a hands-on involvement in the running of the restaurant, but his priorities lay on the football pitch.
"I don't want to be the 'celebrity' face of the restaurant," he said. "This is not a theme bar — it's about great food, great surroundings and making it a place that people really want to come back to. I've been eating here for years because I love the food and atmosphere, so it's genuinely exciting to become co-owner with Paul."
The restaurant will serve a selection of dishes from the former brasserie's menu as well as some new ones, such as seafood platters.
Adams, who also runs the Vincent Hotel in Southport, said that after the launch of the first Warehouse Kitchen & Bar the pair would look to expand the brand into Liverpool, Chester and south Manchester.
"To have Steven join our team is just fantastic," he said. "Like me, he shares a passion for great food and great design. If you don't get those right then nobody will come back, no matter who owns it and I'm confident we have come up with a winning formula."
