Chef Gary Usher says 'b*******' in row with Liverpool Council

A leading chef has hit out at Liverpool Council over what he says is a "b*******" decision not to allow his restaurant to have outdoor seating.

Gary Usher, who runs a number of restaurants in Merseyside and across the North West, took to social media site X to vent his frustrations regarding his Liverpool city centre venue Wreck (formerly Wreckfish).

He explained to his followers that he has been applying to Liverpool City Council for permission to place chairs and tables for diners outside his Seel Street restaurant, but keeps getting his applications turned down.

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In the video, Mr Usher said: "We've been in Wreck for a long time now and we are the only place serving food and drink in and around that area that don't have outside furniture.

"We've applied four times now and we keep getting rejected. All of our neighbours have furniture and, for some reason, they are telling us it affects the pedestrian pathway, which is bull***t."

The chef - who also runs the Burnt Truffle restaurant in Heswall and Sticky Walnut in Chester - went on to ask his followers if anyone could help. He added: "We are really lost with this and we are about to go into our quiet season when we really struggle. We need help. We need to be able to offer food and drink to people outside when it is sunny.

“We really need help from someone in Liverpool that is connected to the council. We are an independent business and we are trying to survive in the worst economic times that I have ever been involved in in my life.

“If there is anyone that can help us? Does anyone know why we can’t have outside seating when all the other places do?"

Responding, a Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: "Liverpool was a pioneer in finding ways to enable hospitality businesses to use outdoor spaces following Covid, but this has to be balanced with pedestrian safety.

"Wreckfish applied last September but unfortunately the application was refused due to limited space and proximity to the informal crossing. They made a subsequent application but the layout proposed did not match our own assessment of the distances involved. We are however happy to look at the issue again and will review the decision."

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