The owner of a Liverpool city centre restaurant has revealed why it closed suddenly, sharing the harsh reality of running an independent business. Poke Superfood Bar opened on Sefton Street in the Baltic Triangle just last summer, in what the owner called the “perfect place”.
The Rise and Fall of Poke Superfood Bar
When it opened, the brand could already be found on Chapel Lane, Formby and had established a loyal following of customers. The brand prided itself on selling everything healthy, including salad and acai bowls, brunch, juices, smoothies, coffee and matcha. The venue also had vegan and gluten-free options.
Announcing the new venue on Instagram at the time, owner Demi Whittle, wrote: “We're so excited to share that we're opening our second Poke shop right in the heart of the Baltic Triangle. One of the most popular areas in Liverpool and just a five-minute walk from the Albert Dock - it honestly feels like the perfect place for our next chapter. I won't lie - this is the scariest decision I've ever made, but the moment I walked into this space, it felt like it was meant for us. From the landlord being a contractor I used to work with back when I was a QS, to the exact same chairs we have in our Formby shop left behind, to the concrete-style finishes that match our brand. It just felt like all the signs were there.”
However, fast forward to April, and the venue was permanently listed as closed on Google, with the site itself lying in darkness for a number of weeks. The ECHO reached out to the brand for further information but received no reply.
The Financial Burden Behind Closed Doors
Alongside this, the Formby site closed at the end of March to undergo a rebrand. The site, still under the same team, is now known as Vive Brunch. The Sefton Street location had been removed from their social media page.
Posting to the Vive Brunch Instagram, the team said: “The recent closure of a popular Liverpool brand has hit hard. And sadly, it feels like it's becoming a familiar story. With costs rising month after month and the economy becoming increasingly difficult to survive in, even some of the very best of our independents are being forced to close their doors.
“People have asked me why I closed our Baltic shop. My answer, unless it was somebody close to me has always been, 'It caused me so much stress.' And that was true. But what I didn't always say was that the stress came from the overwhelming financial burden behind the scenes.
“We needed £3,000 every single month before I even turned the key in the door, this was just rent, business rates and electricity so without wages, NI, insurances, tax, VAT etc. My electricity bill alone was over £1,000 a month. In the nine months we were open, I took personally £3,300. Our Formby shop was effectively keeping Baltic alive and helping in paying its bills month after month. The reality is that us independents are fighting an uphill battle every day.
“The UK has one of highest hospitality costs in Europe. We pay 20% VAT, meaning 1/5 of everything goes straight to the government, whilst us hospitality businesses are already operating on incredibly tight margins.
A Call for Change
“Supporting small businesses isn't just about where you buy your coffee. It's about demanding a change before more independents disappear from our high streets forever. If we continue down this path, our villages, towns and cities will lose their character, passion and individuality that all the independents bring, meaning every high street will start to look the same, dominated by all businesses that built our communities are forced out.
“(Chef) Tom Kerridge yesterday started a campaign for hospitality VAT to be reduced to 10% in line with most of Europe giving us independent businesses a fighting chance. This isn't just about cafés, restaurants, or coffee shops. It's also about people's livelihoods, families, jobs, dreams and the communities that depend on them.”
Previous Tenant Also Struggled
Prior to Poke Superfood Bar, the space was home to The Horus Bar and Grill. The venue served Egyptian food, with everything from kebabs to lamb chops and kofta on its menu. Stuffed grape leaves, mulukhiyah, and baba ghanoush rounded off the offerings. The restaurant was a go-to for many in the Muslim community because of its halal meat option. It also lasted less than two years. The ECHO reached out to those who are listed online as the owners of the building for further information.
