Cafe Sports EnglandAND so farewell then Cafe Sports England and “Moments” - one a temple of footie, the other a temple of WAGs.
The Jamie Carragher brand, Cafe Sports, which was launched in 2008, gamely went the distance of two recessions, but unfortunately the concepts have now buckled - with new competition being blamed.
£1.18m is owed – mostly to the owner of the owner.
Flanagan Group, the parent company of City Life Projects which owned the two restaurants with Carragher, is the biggest creditor. City Life Group also operates Newz Bar and the Sir Thomas Hotel.
The Cafe Sports company went into voluntary liquidation on October 17. Flanagan Group.
Managing Director Paul Flanagan says: “All our staff were paid and all our suppliers are still trading with us.”
This is something, and something one or two other folded bar/restaurant operators in Liverpool cannot say. However Carragher, who retired from Liverpool FC last season, is owed £102,000 as a result of the collapse and City Life Projects £141,000.
Cafe Sports Express in Liverpool One was rebranded as cocktail bar Moments in July. Out went the dozen plasma tellies showing Sky Sports. In came a “Wall of Fame” made up of Liverpool women at big occasions such as Ladies Day at the National.
But with restaurant competition in Liverpool One so strong, maybe, for once, the noise from The Terrace proved to be the soccer legend's downfall.
'Or was it something much nearer? The opening of the Bierkeller, above Moments, provided too much competition, claimed Mr Flanagan.
Billed as a high quality brasserie, Moments was meant to appeal to “Liverpool’s glamorous women and fashion conscious personalities”.
It seems the lure of a ten-inch bratwurst and 15 foaming steins of pilsner proved too much.
