Gary Usher Plans Fourth North West Bistro

GARY Usher, the chef-patron behind Sticky Walnut in Chester, Burnt Truffle in Heswall and the recently opened Hispi in Didsbury has revealed plans for a fourth North West bistro.

It’s really important for people to know that I don’t have a plan or any money

'Wreckfish' is the working title, the old watchmakers' factory, on the corner of Liverpool's Slater and Seel Street, is the venue. 

But the rest is up to you. So far there is no plan and no money. Step in the public who are being asked to seal the fate of both.

The award-winning chef and restaurateur is once again turning to his loyal, food-loving fan base in the hope that they will be willing to stump up £200,000 in a crowdsourcing campaign.

In return, they will be given something of a blank sheet to decide what they want. The only certainty is that it will be a bistro that is “really homely and rustic in a non-try hard way”.

Wreckfish is set to open in the old watchmakers factory on the corner of Liverpool's Steel Street and Slater Street

£200k is a rather big ask but Usher, bouyed by the success of his other three operations, says he expects “a lot of fun” along the way.

Evidently there is an appetite. The plans were announced yesterday via a new Twitter account for Wreckfish which had gained 1,500 followers in the space of just five tweets.

And there is form. In 2014, Usher raised £100,000, via crowdfunding, to open Burnt Truffle in Heswall. And this October as if to prove he's still got it, the public pledged £60,000 to help Hispi become a reality.

REVIEWED: Hispi, Burnt Truffle and Sticky Walnut

This time, however, the public gets to choose exactly what it wants out of Wreckfish before reaching into its pockets. 

Beginning in January, Usher and his team will test the temperature with a series of pop-up dining events at the listed Slater Street site, which currently has no water or electricty on the ground floor. Guests will be invited to try both the space and the food before they buy.

Usher (right) and his team outside Sticky Walnut

Speaking to industry mag The Caterer, Usher said: “That way we can gauge if people want a Hispi, Burnt Truffle or a Sticky Walnut in Liverpool. When the bill comes, diners will be able to pay what they want, and it will go straight into the crowdfunding pot."

He added: “Of course, we will have a few issues. There’s no water or electricity, but that’s not going to stop us. There will be a few hurdles, but I think it will be part of its charm.” 

Rather than have to rely on the bank, the £200,000 crowdfunder to pay for the fit-out of the restaurant and the kitchen will be launched in March.

Perhaps with a nod to pragmatism, Usher admitted: “I don’t think it’s possible to raise that much. But I think there’s a hell of a lot of fun and spirit involved in doing a pop-up in a derelict building. We would love to open in Liverpool - it’s a stunning building and I fell in love with it straight away.”

He went on: “It’s really important for people to know that I don’t have a plan or any money, and we know that it’s a risk, but why not?"