Open Restaurant Group has acquired Liverpool restaurant Wreck Bistro from chef Gary Usher as the business continues its expansion across the North West.
The deal follows the group’s acquisition of Usher’s former Hispi restaurant in Didsbury, which reopened as Arcadian earlier this month.
Wreck will continue operating until its final service on Sunday 4 October before temporarily closing while Open Restaurant Group prepares a new concept for the site.
The entire existing Wreck team will be retained following the acquisition, with no job losses planned as part of the change of ownership.
Open Restaurant Group is led by Sam Morgan and chef Andrew Sheridan and already has an established presence in and around Liverpool.
Its portfolio includes Sheridan’s flagship Restaurant 8 in Liverpool, which holds three AA Rosettes and is listed in the Michelin Guide, alongside Daise in Oxton.
Gary Usher said: “Wreck has been such an important part of our journey over the years, so choosing the right people to take it forward was really important to us.
“Following the success of the Hispi acquisition, we know Andy and the Open Restaurant Group team will give Wreck the same care and attention, and importantly, they’ve shown that they understand how important the people behind a restaurant are by retaining the existing team.
“I’m really excited to see what they do with the site and know it’s going to be in good hands.”
Sam Morgan, Chief Executive of Open Restaurant Group, said: “We’d like to pay tribute to Gary and his team for everything they’ve created with Wreck.
“It’s become a much-loved part of Liverpool’s independent restaurant scene and we’re very conscious of the responsibility that comes with taking on a restaurant with that history.
“This is another really exciting step for Open Restaurant Group. Liverpool is an important part of our story and we’re looking forward to bringing a new chapter to this brilliant site.”
Andrew Sheridan, chef and co-founder of Open Restaurant Group, added: “Wreck is a brilliant site in one of the best parts of Liverpool, and there’s a huge amount to work with.
“Gary and the team have built something that people really care about, so we want to respect that while giving the space a new direction.
“It’s an exciting challenge for us and we’re looking forward to showing people what we’ve got planned.”
The acquisition takes Open Restaurant Group’s portfolio to nine sites across Liverpool, Manchester, Cheshire, Worcestershire and surrounding markets.
Its recent expansion includes the launch of Arcadian in Didsbury earlier this month, following the acquisition of Hispi, alongside Noted in Chester and Dishes in Prestatyn.
The group is also preparing to open Counter in Manchester in October.
Wreck originally opened as Wreckfish in October 2017 following a crowdfunding campaign that transformed a derelict Ropewalks building into a 90-cover restaurant.
It was renamed Wreck in September 2023 and has operated as part of Usher’s Elite Bistros portfolio alongside Sticky Walnut, The White Horse and Usher’s Bakehouse.
Wreck will serve its final guests on 4 October before Open Restaurant Group begins the site’s changeover.
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