New Seel Street Bar Brockbank & Mellor Now Open
Brockbank & Mellor is the latest addition to the cities bustling Seel Street. Opened last week by owner David Wood the bar & restaurant is set in the Brockbank and Mellor building, which it takes its name from. The building dates back to 1872 when it was the site of wine merchants.
The Victorian facade remains. Inscribed above the windows is “Brockbank and Mellor”, late-C19th wine merchants. A step back to when most of the Ropewalks warehouses where full of merchants. The split-level venue takes its inspiration from the industrial warehouse its set in, with concrete-steel-glass the theme throughout. Keeping with the current trend as modernity has been replaced with exposed materials in bars and restaurants over the last 4-5 years and this venue works to those strengths perfectly.
The main bar area downstairs can hold 400 people and features a striking steel bar on entering. Upstairs there is an 80-cover dining area which is open now for drinks and from the end of July will be a restaurant opening from 8.30am, specialising in small plates.
“I wanted something that felt accessible to everyone,” said owner David Wood. When I sat down with our architects, Snook, the vision was to work with the history of the building going back to its days as a wine merchant. It been a long road, but everyone has worked tirelessly to get the site to where it is now. I am also proud to say we have also created over 30 jobs at Brockbank & Mellor from part time to full time. Now the real hard work begins.”
The monotone colours of the venue are complimented by the ceiling which has been painted by Liverpool artist Andy Prior, who’s work can be seen at other sites like Santa Chupitos in the city.
David added “I have been in this industry over 25 years and wanted to really add a personal stamp on this site. It’s a social space for friends to come and relax and socialise. For that reason, we won’t have DJ’s playing, the music will be more of a background feature, so people can sit a talk. We have added an extensive wine menu and some great local IPA’s and have a fantastic courtyard space to the rear of the site which is perfect timing now for summer.”
See facebook.com/BrockbankandMellor/ for more details.
