Living Ventures invests £1m in Smugglers Cove at Albert Dock

LIVING Ventures, the Cheshire leisure operator, is opening a rum-themed cocktail bar and restaurant in Liverpool’s Albert Dock, creating 60 jobs.

The Knutsford-based company is investing £1m in The Smugglers Cove, which opens next week.

With a menu featuring 150 different types of rum, The Smugglers Cove could be a blueprint for other waterside-based venues. It is the fourth venue under Living Venture’s The New World Trading Company (NWTC) format.

Its other sites are the Oast House in Manchester’s Spinningfields, and two Botanist bars in Leeds and Alderley Edge. A third Botantist will be opened in Chester in the coming months.

The Albert Dock bar  is in a  5,000 sq/ft unit on Britannia Pavilion, a 19th century Grade 1 Listed former warehouse building.

New World Trading Company has a forecast turnover of £9.5m for this financial year with an expansion planned for London in 2014.

The new venue joins Living Ventures’ successful Gusto restaurant and bar at the Dock.

Tim Bacon, chief executive of Living Ventures, said: “This is an exciting time for NWTC. Our current offering has proved to be a success in a tough economic climate and we feel Liverpool is the obvious choice for the next evolution of NWTC.

“Liverpool is a vibrant and exciting city and I believe The Smugglers Cove will be a great addition to what is already on offer at Albert Dock.”

Graham Cook, director of Albert Dock Company, said: “In its 25th year of regeneration, it seems very right that a new operation should open at the Dock. While we should celebrate the past, it’s always important to look to the future and bring exciting new venues for visitors to enjoy.

“It is also encouraging to see Living Ventures have the confidence to open its second venture in Albert Dock Liverpool. As a place to set up business, Albert Dock continues to attract some of the biggest names in the hospitality trade, which is great news for both the estate as well as our visitors.”

Manchester law firm Kuits acquired the licence for the new Living Ventures site.