Music, food and arts venue coming to Ropewalks
A HISTORIC building in the heart of the Ropewalks district of Liverpool is set to be transformed into a new music, food and arts space.
The Merchant, due to open in Spring 2016, is situated in a corner building, previously the Mello Mello building, on Liverpool’s vibrant Slater Street.
Local entrepreneurs Richard McGinnis and Lewis Boardman are behind the new space.
Lewis said: “We look forward to adding to Liverpool’s vibrant bar and food scene with the addition of The Merchant.”
The pair’s first launch was The Shipping Forecast, which is now coming up to its sixth year of successful trading has created a space for the best ‘buzz’ bands and international DJ’s who come to the city.
Branding for The Merchant has been provided by Liverpool design agency Smiling Wolf and it’s been a real collaborative process to develop a standout interior.
“Its been a great process working with Smiling Wolf in helping bring together all of the historic influences of this former Merchant house,” said co-founder Rich.
The Merchant will have a street level Scandinavian-feel cafe-bar, a multi-use event space upstairs and extensive garden to the rear which will be presenting the UK’s best street food vendors all year round.
Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, which represents businesses in the Ropewalks district in Bold Street, added: “This is a fantastic announcement for what is a burgeoning independent district and this addition will certainly add to its vitality.
“The Merchant is another great example of an independent business gravitating to this area of the city centre and enhancing the quality of the night time economy. We have big plans for the Bold Street area in 2016 to further support its development and hopefully help attract more businesses to locate there.”
