Historic Liverpool bar with links to Frankie Goes to Hollywood comes to market

An iconic leisure venue in Liverpool city centre that served as a police station and jail in Victorian times has come to market.

The Old Bridewell Bar Restaurant, sitting within a Grade II-listed building dating back to the 1850s, is now available to lease after the Manchester office of real estate firm CBRE was chosen to market the venue.

British author Charles Dickens was sworn in as a special constable at the Old Bridewell, while Liverpool band Frankie Goes to Hollywood wrote most of their hits in the cells during rehearsals in the early 1980s.

The site was converted into its current setup in 2003.

CBRE’s Manchester-based associate director, Nick Huddleston, said: ’’We are delighted to market this magnificent building.

“The Old Bridewell provides a rare opportunity for an experienced bar restaurant and gastro pub operator to lease the premises to create and develop a unique and niche destination bar restaurant in the heart of Liverpool city centre.”

Situated near Hanover Street, close to the Liverpool ONE retail and leisure complex, the property features a flagged bar area, vaulted ceilings, original gaol cells and a first-floor eatery with a grand piano and courtyard beer garden.

The site’s landlord Colin McKeown, who also owns local production company LA Productions, commented: “The Bridewell is a landmark building in Liverpool, full of character and history.

“The Bridewell presents a golden opportunity for any potential tenant to use its assets creatively.”

He added: “The property represents the best Grade II architectural premises with the flexibility to engage a discerning clientele.’’

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