While many businesses are still reeling from the latest restrictions imposed on the hospitality industry, popular city centre bar RED DOOR has quite literally taken a sledge hammer to the situation to make sure that the business is not a casualty of the pandemic.
The bar, which opened in 2014 and fast became of the city’s favourite haunts, has taken the decision to introduce a food offering and owner Lee Lynch has literally taken matters in his own hands this week, demolishing walls and replacing flooring in preparation to install the necessary kitchen equipment.
Despite rolling up his sleeves and donning the hard hat, and co-opting assistance from his trusted team, the renovation and change in offering is set to cost circa £40k and require further investment for training and recruitment.
Owner Lee Lynch said ” The impact of the lockdown restrictions on the hospitality industry have been truly devastating and the latest measures have proved catastrophic for so many. Since the 10pm curfew was announced our revenue is down 75% and my staff numbers have reduced from 39 to 10. We were literally left
With no option other than ‘fight or flight’ and having invested over 20 years in Liverpool’s hospitality scene and many millions of pounds, the latter is NOT an option for us. Pre Covid-19 we would see over 1000 guests come through our doors over the weekend period and post the curfew we were down to 150 if we were lucky.
Watching our bank balance haemorrhage at an alarming rate we knew we had to take drastic action to save the business. We have got stuck in, taken a deep breath and are working 18 hour days to re-direct our business whilst retaining the core brand values that we know our guests love.’
The menu, created by Executive Chef John Brannigan, includes a substantial brunch menu to compliment the Eden Terrace along with a more casual dining offering to enhance the Red Door Bar experience, which Has a big screen to show Premier League games and all major sporting and musical events. Full menu details will be released shortly.
Lee Lynch continued ‘Desperate times call for desperate measures and we will do everything we can to protect the 10 jobs we are still responsible for. We are spending a lot of money to survive a situation which has occurred through no fault of our own, despite spending over £3k per site to make the venue Covid safe, the industry desperately
needs urgent and ongoing support to survive this unprecedented situation. We are hoping our new offering will enable us to trade during what would normally be the busiest time of the year’
The renovation works should hopefully be completed by the end of next month and the new offering will enable the RED DOOR to offer COVID secure bottomless brunches, lunches and afternoon teas, with great music in a safe environment along with Premier League matches on the giant screen.
The Red Door team are committed to ensuring that as soon as government guidelines permit, they will be ready to welcome back guests, with an enhanced offering as well as all the Red Door charm which has made them a massive part of the Liverpool social scene for the past six years.
