New Moon Pub Co continues on expansion trail with first site in Liverpool
The company, founded by chef David Mooney and former Living Ventures director Paul Newman, is planning to open the Old Blind School, on Hardman Street, in May.
New Moon plans to model the Old Blind School on the company’s Old Sessions House in Knutsford – a food-led venue that opened in 2012.
In keeping with the New Moon philosophy, the Old Sessions house has an emphasis on small plates and sharing ‘planks’ on a number of its menus.
It also has a ‘dirty food Thursday’ menu with a focus on hot dog, baps and burgers, and offers a comprehensive range of cocktails.
Renovation
New Moon said the Grade II listed Old Blind School is to receive a refurbishment sympathetic to the nature of the building.
Work will start immediately, with most of the £800,000 investment being spent on converting the interior into a 200-cover restaurant across two floors, and on the kitchen.
According to Newman, the company had been looking for the right site in Liverpool for a while and he and Mooney were delighted to have taken on the leasehold for the property from a local businessman.
He said: “The Old Blind School will not just be about great food but also unique fine ales, fantastic wines and a bespoke list of fabulous cocktails.
“The new venue will also create 30 to 40 new jobs including positions for bar, kitchen and waiting staff.”
Growth plans
New Moon has now opened seven venues in four years. Their first, the Lord Binning in Kelsall, Cheshire, was followed by the Hanging Gate, in Weaverham, and the Old Sessions House, in 2012.
In 2013, the company opened its first site outside Cheshire – the Montgomery Pub & Kitchen, in Wirral, Merseyside.
Last year, it opened the Mockingbird Taproom, in Chester, and the company’s first city centre site – Manchester’s Beef & Pudding.
