Celebs to open coffee shop/bar in redeveloped Crosby village centre
A former star of The Apprentice and an Irish Master Chef winner are launching a new coffee shop and cocktail bar in Crosby village, following developer St Modwen’s multi-million pound investment in the village centre.
Crosby-born Kurt Wilson, who appeared on The Apprentice in 2014, and Harry Marquart, who won Head Chef in 2011, will be opening their latest venture Frankie’s in the Sefton town this summer.
Frankie’s will open in the newly-refurbished Glenn Buildings South and has signed a new 10-year lease with St Modwen, which paid £2.6m for a number of properties in the village before beginning renovations last June.
The venue will serve bagels, sandwiches and light bites and will have an extensive cocktail menu.
The highly-experienced team behind Frankie’s own Japanese sushi bar Izakaya in Liverpool and also includes Jack Doran, the former manager of The Alchemist in Liverpool.
Named in memory of Jack’s father, Frankie’s will operate as a coffee shop in the day, before shifting to a cocktail bar in the evening.
Harry, who lives in Crosby, previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurants Pollen Street Social in London and the Chester Grosvenor.
He has also worked at the high-end London Carriageworks restaurant in Liverpool.
Kurt said: “We’re really excited to be opening Frankie’s in Crosby and we’re positive it will be a huge success. I’m Crosby born and bred, and when I heard about the regeneration plans for the area I had to get involved.
“Crosby is a great place with a beautiful beach that attracts people to the area, but it has been lacking in decent restaurants and bars for some time. It’s great to see this is now changing.”
St Modwen got under way with the redevelopment of the Glenn Buildings and construction of 10 Moor Lane in June 2017 after acquiring the site and securing planning approval from Sefton Council for its plans to develop the 24,775 sq ft of retail, leisure and office space.
Alastair Budd, director of asset management-North for St Modwen, said: “Frankie’s will be an excellent addition to Crosby Village and we are pleased to be providing quality premises for another independent local business.
“We have made a significant investment into the village and the fact that another business has chosen Crosby for their first site outside of the city centre is testament to the improvements that are being made.”
This deal follows the news that long-standing local business, The Blues Bar, has expanded its premises and signed a new lease confirming its commitment to Crosby.
Costa Coffee has also renewed its lease and Peacocks is opening a new fashion store in the new buildings.
