Wreck Bistro is closing its doors in Liverpool city centre next month.
The much-loved restaurant located in Seel Street has been operated by chef Gary Usher but is set to shut down after its final service on Sunday, October 4.
Open Restaurant Group will take over the Ropewalks site during a short period of changeover that is set to see all existing Wreck staff retained moving forward.
The group has pledged build on the warmth and hospitality the site has become known for, while introducing a new offer for Liverpool when the restaurant reopens.
Open Restaurant Group already has a strong legacy in the city, where its co-founder Andy Sheridan hails from, and has an established presence across the region.
Sheridan’s flagship restaurant 8 proudly located in the city, holding three AA Rosettes and listed in the Michelin Guide, alongside Daise in Oxton, Wirral.
Wreck first opened as Wreckfish in October 2017, converting a derelict building in Ropewalks into a 90-cover bistro via a successful crowdfunding campaign.
It was renamed Wreck in September 2023 and has formed part of Usher’s Elite Bistros stable alongside Sticky Walnut, The White Horse and Usher’s Bakehouse.
Sam Morgan, Open Restaurant Group’s chief executive, said: “We’d like to pay tribute to Gary and his team for everything they’ve created with Wreck.
“It’s become a much-loved part of Liverpool’s independent restaurant scene and we’re very conscious of the responsibility that comes with taking on a restaurant with that history.
“This is another really exciting step for Open Restaurant Group. Liverpool is an important part of our story and we’re looking forward to bringing a new chapter to this brilliant site.”
Andrew Sheridan, chef and co-founder of Open Restaurant Group, added: “Wreck is a brilliant site in one of the best parts of Liverpool, and there’s a huge amount to work with.
“Gary and the team have built something that people really care about, so we want to respect that while giving the space a new direction.
“It’s an exciting challenge for us and we’re looking forward to showing people what we’ve got planned.”