Samphire Jersey to launch restaurant and members' club in Liverpool

Samphire Jersey, formerly the Michelin-starred Ormer in Saint Helier, is to open a restaurant and private members' club in Liverpool.

 

The site, yet to be named, will become the second venue in the group, which had also included Ormer Mayfair in the Flemings Hotel until the departure of Shaun Rankin in November 2017. Rankin, who left the group due to "incompatibility" with shareholders, now operates Ormer Mayfair as a separate entity.

 

Samphire Limited has confirmed that the new opening will have no association with Ormer Mayfair.

 

The application submitted by Design LSM to Liverpool City Council show that the restaurant, also named Ormer, will take over the basement and ground floor levels of the Grade II-listed IL Palazzo building on Water Street in Liverpool's commercial district.

 

The ground floor will operate as an "all-day premium casual destination brasserie" while the basement will be refurbished to create a private members club with a basement bar.

 

The restaurant will accommodate, according to the initial plans, up to 170 covers including two private dining rooms and raised seating areas. It will have an open kitchen with seats at a display counter. A separate bar area will have up to 85 covers and will include a wine feature wall.

 

The currently vacant building, erected in 1896, is a former bank and Ormer's design will incorporate some of the remaining features such as the basement vaults which will be turned into two 10-cover, one eight-cover and one 20-cover "snugs" and a 16-cover wine room.

 

Other features that will be kept are the lion head design entrance doors to the restaurant, ceiling cornices, a barrel vaulted glazed ceiling, marble-clad columns, plaster friezes, a feature clock, low level timber panelling and marble wall cladding.

 

The welcome area where guests will be greeted will be partitioned with a bell-jar display wall as part of Ormer's aim to "to bring Ormer's ethos to the fore-front; making the ingredients and the gastronomic artistry the ‘hero'".

 

The planning documents state: "Ormer are acquiring a site in Liverpool; with the aim of opening a ‘diffusion concept' within a glorious former banking hall. The concept is based around an ‘Ormer Bistro' on the ground floor and a private members club within the basement.

 

"Our interior design concept, for both floors, will herald and celebrate Ormer's prominent arrival, ensuring the brand becomes the destination venue for the City's sophisticated clientele.

 

"Key modern installations will evolve the aesthetic, creating a distinct difference between the other more formal settings. Establishing a relaxed, cosmopolitan ambience that evokes a sense of ‘ownership' and ‘belonging' to Liverpool's social scene."

 

Ormer declined to comment on the opening at this stage. Liverpool City Council approved the plans "with conditions" on 20 April 2018. The latest application to "carry out external alterations" is awaiting decision.

 

Shaun Rankin says Ormer Jersey refocus "incompatible" with his philosophy >>

 

Flemings Mayfair appoints restaurant team for Ormer Mayfair >>

 

More than 1,000 bookings taken for Shaun Rankin's new restaurant >>

 

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