Award-winning Birmingham restaurant is closing its doors -and moving to Liverpool

An award-winning Birmingham city centre restaurant is set to close - and reopen in Liverpool.

The city’s hospitality industry has endured a tough few years since the pandemic, with some establishments across Birmingham being forced to closed due to economic difficulties.

Fortunately, many businesses in the industry are still thriving with a number of new establishments such as the Cocktail Club and Atelier having opened in the city centre in recent months.

But one eatery which is now set to close is About 8 in Centenary Square. The restaurant will shut its doors with head chef Andy Sheridan set to reopen the award-winning eatery in his hometown of Liverpool and begin another new business venture in Gloucestershire in the coming months.

Sheriden also runs Craft at the ICC and Black & Green in Barnt Green - both of these are remaining open in Birmingham - with Craft set to undergo a refurbishment which will take between 12 and 16 weeks.

As part of the new plans, a second edition of the Barnt Green restaurant Black & Green, which is listed by Michelin, AA, Harden’s and The Good Food Guide, will be opening in Gloucestershire. About 8 will be relaunched at a site near to the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool city centre.

What has the chef said about the plans?

Sheridan said: “We’re expanding considerably in 2023, most notably with my return to Liverpool. Birmingham has been good to me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of a great food movement in the Second City. That’s where Sam, I and the team created 8 and where we’ve built a reputation.

“But Liverpool is my home and when the opportunity arose, we really couldn’t say no. Planning is advanced and we’ll look forward to publishing the opening date in the near future.”

Sheridan’s business partner, Sam Morgan, said their Black & Green concept had been a huge hit, leading to further expansion in Gloucestershire. Morgan said: “We’ve got the right team on board and so the time is right to launch a second Black & Green. It’ll be beside a beautiful, country pub, deep in the heart of rural Gloucestershire.

“People will be able to eat and drink well at the pub, with a simple menu, or, if they want to enjoy something a little special, they can pop next door to Black & Green, which will be adjacent to the pub.”

Opening dates for the three new sites, and an exit date for Birmingham, are under discussion and will soon be announced.