Historic building set to become Ivy restaurant

As it is a Grade I listed building, only certain alterations can be made to it

A former Bank of England building is set to become a luxury restaurant.

The Ivy restaurant chain, favoured by celebrities in London, is looking to take over the Grade I listed building on Castle Street in Liverpool.

It would be the third Ivy spin-off restaurant in the North West, alongside two in Manchester.

The building has been described as a "masterpiece of Victorian architecture" and only minor alterations can be made to it.

Plans to convert the former bank into a new dining venue were signed off by Liverpool Council’s planning committee last August, with speculation rife over who would take over the location.

The "commanding" site was designed by Charles Robert Cockerell, a report to Liverpool City Council's planning committee said.

It added: "Its scale and powerful design language evidences the importance of Liverpool as a highly influential centre of commerce and trade which led to the founding of this first regional outpost of the Bank of England outside of London.

"Internally the building has an austere character, a contrast with many other banks of Liverpool where wealth is flaunted with fine marbles, gilding and lavish decoration."

A fabric awning embossed with The Ivy name would be put up outside, alongside a brass back-lit sign and four planters.

There would also be a free standing menu sign outside.

The building was listed in the 1950s and has been out of use for more than two decades.

The bank building was famously occupied in 2015 by a group called Love Activists, who called for it to be used as a centre to support homeless people.