Restaurant plan for historic Liverpool building

Part of a historic Grade II-listed building in Liverpool’s Ropewalks district could be transformed into a restaurant under new plans.

An application has been submitted to Liverpool City Council to change the use of the ground floor within the Royal Institution building on Colquitt Street from an office to a food and drink establishment, but insists the proposals will have a “minimal impact on the building”.

Owner TJ Thomas Estates has put forward the application for building, which forms part of a cluster of listed and historic properties dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and will market the floor as a commercial unit for a food and drink operator if approval is granted.

The Royal Institution, located within the Duke Street Conservation Area, is also close to the neighbouring Seel Street, which is home to a number of the city centre’s bars, eateries and music venues.

A document submitted to the council says: “The proposed ground floor retail and leisure uses are considered appropriate to improve and assist in the animation and surveillance of Colquitt Street, thereby creating an attractive, well surveyed and inviting commercial space.”