Liverpool entrepreneurs to launch The Merchant

A historic building in Liverpool’s Ropewalks district will soon be turned into a new bar and events space.

Set to open in Spring 2016, The Merchant will occupy the former Mello Mello building on Slater Street to provide a Scandinavian-feel cafe and bar, along with mixed-use space upstairs and a garden to the rear housing street food vendors.

Local entrepreneurs Richard McGinnis and Lewis Boardman, who brought The Shipping Forecast bar to Liverpool, are the minds behind the new business.

Lewis said: “We look forward to adding to Liverpool’s vibrant bar and food scene with the addition of The Merchant.”

Liverpool-based design agency Smiling Wolf provided The Merchant’s branding.

Rich commented: “It’s been a great process working with Smiling Wolf in helping bring together all of the historic influences of this former Merchant house.”

Liverpool BID Company represents businesses located in the Ropewalks district.

The organisation’s chief exec, Bill Addy, said: “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.”

He continued: “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.’’

A teaser campaign for The Merchant is due to hit Liverpool this Friday (November 27).

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