Liverpool French bistro bites the dust, blaming utility company ‘robber barons’
Another Liverpool restaurant has closed its doors, blaming the worsening economic climate, and “the robber barons at the utility companies”.
French bistro restaurant, Bouchon, part of the Liverpool-based Red & Blue Restaurants Group and situated in the city centre’s Derby Square, announced its closure on its social media account this morning (November 13).
Around 30 jobs have been saved by offering positions in the group’s other interests.
The announcement said: “Good morning! We’ve unfortunately had to take the difficult decision to close Bouchon from today … despite it being a great little restaurant the headwinds of inflation and the robber barons at the utility companies has made it financially unsustainable.
“Fortunately we’ve been able to offer all our colleagues jobs in our offer sites in Liverpool, we’ll be in touch with everyone who has a reservation and try and move to our other restaurants, anyone who has paid a deposit who we can’t accommodate will get a full refund.
“Finally, thank you to everyone who has dined and supported us over the last two years xx.”
Blue & Red Restaurants Group owners, Paddy Smith and Jonathan Poole, opened the restaurant in 2021, converting it from their previous Rocket & Ruby offering.
It sits next door to its successful Salthouse Bacaro restaurant, on Castle Street, and was a popular location in the heart of the city’s business district.
The group’s first venture was their Hanover Street Social restaurant, opened in 2011, followed by the nearby Salthouse tapas restaurant nearby, in Liverpool One.
Tripadvisor reviews rated Bouchon 4.5 out of five, from 137 reviews, with its food, value and service all rated 4.5, and atmosphere four out of five.
One review, from earlier this month, said: “Friendly, courteous service and some excellent, honest, freshly prepared food. The prix fixe menu offers several choices. I especially recommend the mackerel on potato salad as an entry.
“The mackerel was warm (a nice surprise) and the potato salad’s dressing was a creamy delight featuring lemon and mustard seed. The steak frites as main was one of the tastiest, tenderest pieces of meat I’ve eaten in years.
“The frites would have profited from a slightly longer cooking time: I found them slightly soggy and pale. All in all, a very pleasant experience, good value for the money, and professional, cheerful service.”
Chinese restaurant, Lu Ban, based in the Cains Brewery Village, in Stanhope Street, announced its closure last weekend, blaming the cost of living crisis.
