The Wolstenholme Square premises will reopen with a fresh concept
The Mill Bar & Grill in Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool(Image: Paul Mcauley)
A new restaurant combining East Midlands hospitality and Punjabi flavours is preparing to open in the city centre. The Mill Bar & Grill has taken residency in the popular Wolstenholme Square unit most notably occupied by Clockworks.
Clockworks, which was once customers’ “favourite restaurant in Liverpool”, returned after a six year hiatus under new owners with a fresh concept. Clockworks was set in a refurbished 18th-century merchant house with the interiors purposely celebrating its industrial heritage.
The restaurant originally opened in Wolstenholme Square in early 2017 and enjoyed a six year run before the owners at the time announced its closure in January 2023.
In a statement, the team said it was “with a heavy heart” they could no longer make it a sustainable business in the “current climate”. The closure was met with sadness from customers, with some calling Clockworks their “favourite restaurant in Liverpool”.
Clockworks in Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Clockworks relaunched in January this year under new owners – Rhys Keeley, Jack Ruttledge, and Ethan Cowling – who wanted to “revitalise a lost gem”. The ECHO understands the owners “wrapped up” around spring. The venue closed quietly without a public statement to customers.
This weekend, the building will reopen once again under new owners with a fresh concept. The Mill Bar & Grill boasts a menu inspired by South Asian cuisine and will be available for bookings, walk ins and casual guests who wish to enjoy a drink.
The venue, although not categorised as a sports bar, will also broadcast live sports for guest to enjoy. Owner Jashan Rai told the ECHO: “We are based in Leicester but when we came to Liverpool we noticed there wasn’t the same, sort of, laid back bar and grill that we have in the East Midlands. All of the food is South Asian and we can’t wait for everyone to try it.”
The Mill Bar & Grill in Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool(Image: Paul Mcauley)
The menu is inspired by the owners’ own Punjabi background and heritages. Jashan added: “We literally can not wait to open. People have been really wowed by the place and the food.
“The venue was the first place we saw when we came to Liverpool and we loved it. We loved the rustic interiors and setting and we’ve decided to retain the aesthetics when we open with a few nice touch ups and additions. “
The Mill Bar & Grill will open on Saturday, December 6.