Group has lodged plans for site that was proposed for Thai restaurant group
New details have emerged about a UK-wide steak chain’s plans to open its first site in Liverpool city centre. Back in October, it was announced Flat Iron would bring its brand to one of the city’s historic original seven streets as it sought to move into a grade II location on Castle Street.
A planning application has now been lodged by the firm which has given the first indication as to how the site could look. The brand was created in 2012 by Charlie Carroll and has been headed by Tom Byng since 2021.
In the last decade, it has grown to operate 20 restaurants across London, Manchester, Leeds and Cambridge. Alongside Liverpool, the brand is hoping to launch a Newcastle site, having brought forward its Bristol location opening to last month.
The steakhouse – which prides itself on providing quality food at reasonable prices – is to move into the former Royal Liver Assurance building on Castle Street. The site dates back to around the 1880s and was originally constructed as offices but now is used for commercial and residential uses on the upper floors.
The site has a complex planning history stretching back many years. In May 2024, a planning application was lodged by Thai chain Giggling Squid to bring a branch to the city.
After much toing and froing, it had been hoped this time last year that the business would finally make Liverpool home after permission was finally granted. It had been expected that 30 new jobs would be created as a result.
However, those proposals never materialised, with confusion reigning over the future of the site. It had been occupied by shooting themed bar Point Blank since 2020.
Two months ago it was confirmed Flat Iron would be moving into the now vacant venue, which sits within the grade II listed building. According to planning documents, internal and external works are proposed.
This includes a renovation of the property, creating a new staircase and introducing new ducting, extraction and filtration equipment. Externally, the applicant proposes to introduce new ducting with filtration equipment, vertical discharge and external condensing units at the rear roof level.
Additionally, new openings and ductwork into the premises will be created. New box signage is also anticipated to be put up outside the building. It was revealed in December how the restaurant will feature a central bar anchoring the room between diners and drinkers.
A date has yet to be confirmed for the plans to go before Liverpool Council planning officials. The restaurant is expected to open in the summer.
