A new music, food and arts venue is set to open its doors next year on the site of former Ropewalks favourite Mello Mello.

The work of local entrepreneurs Richard McGinnis and Lewis Boardman, who also own nearby venue The Shipping Forecast, The Merchant is due to open in Spring 2016.

Designed in collaboration with local design agency Smiling Wolf, The Merchant will have a street level Scandinavian-feel café-bar with a multi-use event space on the first floor and extensive garden to the rear which will house street food vendors throughout the year.

Co-founder Lewis, says: “We look forward to adding to Liverpool’s vibrant bar and food scene with the addition of The Merchant”

Bill Addy, chief executive of Liverpool BID Company, remarked: “This is a fantastic announcement for what is a burgeoning independent district and this addition will certainly add to its vitality.

“The Merchant is another great example of an independent business gravitating to this area of the city centre and enhancing the quality of the night time economy.”

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