Living Ventures serves up Cunard Building plan

A £6m deal to bring high quality restaurants and bars to Liverpool’s iconic Cunard Building on the Pier Head has been agreed.

The agreement between Liverpool City Council and Cheshire-based Living Ventures paves the way for investment in the ground and first floors of the Grade I listing building, creating about 150 new jobs.

It will house restaurants Australasia and a new fine-dining concept called Cunard House run by top chef Aiden Byrne, as well as a training academy.

The Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “This will breathe new life into the Cunard Building and the wider Pier Head, complementing the recent investment the council has made.  

“It will provide a world-class dining experience for residents, tourists and office workers in this part of the city and be a catalyst for further investment in the Pier Head area.

“We know there is a huge demand for dining at the Cunard Building, demonstrated most recently through the success of the Aquitania pop up restaurant during the Three Queens visit.

“It is also a great economic deal for the city, creating a significant number of jobs and economic spend, and will generate business rates and rental income for the city council which we can reinvest in essential services.”

On the ground floor, Australasia will serve modern Australian cuisine combining Pacific Rim flavours underpinned by European cooking tradition. It will also have a bar serving cocktails and music from resident and guest DJs.

On the first floor, Cunard House will a team led by Liverpool-born Aiden Byrne – the youngest chef to ever win a Michelin Star and former Head Chef of the Grill Room at the Dorchester Hotel in London. It will serve fine food in an informal atmosphere.

It will be accompanied by cocktail bar and training academy for young chefs to train under Aiden.

Living Ventures chief executive Tim Bacon said: “I am delighted to introduce Australasia and Cunard House to Liverpool. It has always been a city very close to my heart and I am sure people will love these two new dining experiences – each will bring something totally new and dynamic to the Liverpool dining scene.”

“Aiden is also very excited to be returning to his home town, Cunard House will be a showcase for the amazing food Aiden produces and the training academy will give him the opportunity to pass on his knowledge and experience to aspiring young chefs who could not ask for a better mentor.”

Lord Carlile, chairman of Astutus Strategy, which is supporting Living Ventures, said: “The development is a great opportunity to bring a great building back into the growing Liverpool powerhouse. It promises to be a wonderful restaurant, and a go-to meeting place.

“The Mayor is to be congratulated on his support for this exciting venture.”

Subject to planning approval, Australasia is expected to open in April 2016 on the ground floor and Cunard House in September 2016.