'Lost gem' restaurant reopens in Liverpool city centre two years after closure

Clockworks' Wolstenholme Square team Rhys Keeley, Jack Ruttledge, and Ethan Cowling
-Credit:Press handout


A bar and restaurant in Liverpool city centre has reopened under new owners two years after its closure. Clockworks originally opened in Wolstenholme Square in early 2017 and enjoyed a six year run before the owners announced its closure in January 2023.

In a statement at the time, the team said it was "with a heavy heart" they could no longer make it a sustainable business in the "current climate". The closure was met with much sadness from customers, with some calling Clockworks their "favourite restaurant in Liverpool".

The statement posted on social media at the time read: "It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to cease trading. We want to thank all of our customers new and old who spent their time with us, your support from the beginning has made this entire venture worthwhile and we thank you dearly for all of your custom and friendship.

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“Unfortunately recent hardships have finally caught up and we can no longer make Clockworks a sustainable business in this current climate. Thank you to the staff, you have put the business first on countless occasions and shown a first class attitude in every aspect. You are a genuine credit to the hospitality industry. It was a pleasure working with you all. For now, the clocks have stopped.”

Inside the newly refurbished Clockworks bar on Wolstenholme Square
Inside the newly refurbished Clockworks bar on Wolstenholme Square -Credit:Press handout

Clockworks has now relaunched under new owners - Rhys Keeley, Jack Ruttledge, and Ethan Cowling, all aged 21. The venue did a soft-launch in late December, with plans to become the best steakhouse in Liverpool.

The bar is already operational while the restaurant, which has received a complete refurbishment, will relaunch by the end of February. Clockworks is set in a refurbished 18th-century merchant house with the interiors purposely celebrating its industrial heritage.

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Original features such as exposed iron pipes and brickwork have been saved while modern updates include new flooring and marble bathrooms. Rhys and Jack run LVP Luxury Apartments, an apart-hotel business, as well as Parydise Properties, a nationwide property management company, while Ethan runs construction and social media businesses.

Rhys Keeley said: "We want to revitalise a lost gem and create a classy venue offering great experiences for dining, drinks, music, and good times. This is about more than business—it’s about restoring a historic part of Liverpool and giving the community something to be proud of.

“Our goal is to provide exceptional quality and service. We want to build a community of steak enthusiasts who appreciate refined dining and a premium experience."

The upcoming menu will focus on premium steak cuts, including both wagyu and Black Angus. There will also be regular live jazz and acoustic performances.

Ethan Cowling said: “We’ve heard so many stories about Wolstenholme Square being a central part of Liverpool’s history. We want Clockworks to be a place where new memories are made—a venue that combines the best of the past with a modern, refined touch.”