Champu loses its fizz

A LIVERPOOL champagne bar set up six months ago by the flamboyant hairdresser Herbert Howe has closed down.

At the event’s launch in February Mr Howe deflected concerns about the opening of such a venue during a recession by saying people would always have money to spend on special occassions.

His establishment, named Champu, stocked the finest champagnes, served by French sommeliers and priced from £60 to £1,200 per bottle.

Mr Howe invested £250,000 fitting out the upmarket bar but could no longer shoulder trading losses and has put its holding company Herbert of Liverpool (Hotels and Travel) into administration.

Joint administrator Colin Burke, of the Cheshire accountancy firm Milner Boardman, said: “Mr Howe has decided he can’t put any more money in to it and he’s hoping someone else will come along and take up the reins.

“There are very few creditors. It’s mainly the landlord and the hope is to assign the business to someone else. We’re hoping someone will buy it.”

Mr Howe, whose salon Herbert of Liverpool is popular with Merseyside celebrities, had hoped to attract lucrative corporate events to Champu.