MYSTERY surrounds the future of one of Chester’s most prominent bars.
Premium Bars & Restaurants (PBR) won’t comment on rumours The Living Room in St Werburgh Street is closing even though the property is being advertised as ‘to let’ at £110,000 per annum.
The Chronicle understands the bar-restaurant will shut at the end of June, about a week before the lease runs out, although customers are being told The Living Room will reopen mid to late August following a refurbishment.
A spokesman for PBR would only confirm the lease on The Living Room Chester expires on July 7, 2013.
The venue opened in 2004 having previously been occupied by Joe’s Wine Bar run by Kenny Baker over several years.
It was visited by many celebrities including footballers such as the late Gary Speed and Derek Hatton, the former left-wing deputy leader of Liverpool City Council.
In 2006 it was the venue for the after-show party when Chester’s Odeon hosted the regional premiere for Casino Royale attended by the likes of Beth Tweddle, Coronation Street’s Alan Halsall (Tyrone) and the Duke of Westminster’s daughter, Lady Edwina Grosvenor.
The blurb by Chester-based Wild Commercial Property states: “The restaurant is located in the centre of Chester between St Werburgh Street and Godstall Lane.
“The premises is close to other A3 and A4 operators as well as retailers such as White Stuff, Fat Face, Joules etc.”
The Orchid Group bought PBR, which includes the Living Room and Prohibition brands, from the administrators in 2009.
There are currently 14 outlets in the Living Room chain including bars in Liverpool and Manchester.
