Belle’s has opened its doors in Liverpool city centre
David Coley and Andrew Chesworth-Wigger, owners of Belle’s on Renshaw Street
A new bar has opened its doors inside one of Liverpool’s most famous buildings. Business partners David Coley and Andrew Chesworth-Wigger are behind new opening Belle’s, which opened in November, and is a French-inspired speakeasy bar on Renshaw Street in Liverpool city centre.
The new bar is now occupying the Grand Central space formerly used by Nelly Foley’s bar, the reopened Barcelona Bar and The Hippy Hole. The opening of the French-inspired bar marks a new era for the famous city centre site, offering a full French wine selection and has a focus on great quality drinks, provided by expert mixologists.
David told the ECHO: “We’ve both been the industry over 20 years, both working for large operators. Andrew was actually in the senior management team behind opening Albert’s Schloss in Manchester and Albert’s Schenke. We worked together and we both got sent to London because there’s a venue in London called Radio Rooftop.
“I went down to do the sales, he did the operations, and we just really got on and we just thought, ‘you know what, if the opportunity ever came up, we’d work together’. So this is our first project together. And I’ll be honest, I’d only been out in Liverpool twice before opening the venue, but I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I’m from Manchester originally.
The ECHO visited Barcelona Bar when it reopened in 2018(Image: Andrew Teebay)
He added: “Because I’m not from Liverpool, I didn’t know the heritage, but I just saw the building and I absolutely loved it. I mean, obviously, Grand Central Hall is so iconic.
“I saw places like Hardware and just thought it’s [Renshaw Street] so independent. And it just has that kind of independent vibe to it. So I thought this is a perfect location.”
David and Andrew want to add to the city’s nightlife scene by hosting local talent and UK artists, keeping with their French speakeasy theme. They plan to offer an eclectic mix from jazz nights to DJ’s playing French house music. They are also hoping to bring the level of service they’ve previously experienced in France.
Inside Belle’s on Renshaw Street(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
David said: “There’s people coming in now on the third, fourth time. Because you’ve got a really nice mix around here, like young professionals, students, but also a lot of people who are staying for the football. Renshaw Street has got some amazing serviced apartments. So we feel quite lucky that there’s quite a diverse group.”
Looking ahead to the future, David hopes that this is just the beginning for Belle’s, with plans of opening another site in Liverpool under a different concept. The business partners are also planning on opening another Belle’s in a different city in 2026.
Belle’s on Renshaw Street will also launch its food offering soon including sweet and savoury Crepes. Meat and cheese picnic hampers are already on offer.
David added: “I just think it’s [Liverpool] so blessed as a city with so many great bars and places to go and eat. I don’t think we’re going to try and do anything different to all these other amazing places.
Inside Belle’s on Renshaw Street
“It’s just me and Andrew, good service, amazing products, the cocktails and everything. And we just want to make sure that people want to come back.
“We had a group from Gibraltar come in. They came across for the football and they’ve already come back. And that’s kind of what we want to see. If they have a good time, they talk to us, that’s it.”