The Baltic Fleet, one of Liverpool's oldest pubs, has undergone a major transformation with the addition of a glass conservatory that now houses the family-run Cornhill Coffee café. The pub, which has stood since the 1850s, is overseen by Simon Holt, while the Cornhill Coffee mobile van outside is run by his daughter, Rosie Holt, and her mum, Julie Broom. Although family, the two businesses have operated separately until now.
From Budapest inspiration to new conservatory
Rosie confirmed to the ECHO that the businesses are set to become intertwined, with Cornhill Coffee now part of a new extension at the historic pub. The courtyard area has moved to the front of the pub, and the empty space has been transformed into a glass conservatory. Rosie said the idea came about after the family visited Budapest a few years back.
She said: “My dad was really inspired by the architecture - traditional buildings paired with modern glass extensions. They were everywhere, and we all loved the contrast. The pub is doing really well at the moment, and my dad is always thinking about what’s next and how to take it further. He believes this is the answer.”
Café and pub share one space
The conservatory now operates as a daytime café for Cornhill Coffee and provides additional seating for the “hustle and bustle” of The Baltic Fleet in the evening. Rosie added: “We’re one family but run two separate businesses because we serve different audiences. This idea brings them together - one space with two uses, working around the natural rhythms of a café and a pub.”
The Cornhill Coffee truck opened in Summer 2024 after Julie and Rosie quit their jobs. It has since become popular with locals and passers-by, with queues for coffee, croissants, and cakes. Cornhill’s chocolate croissants and fresh coffee have been described as better than those from large coffee chains.
Family venture born from shared passion
Speaking about why they started the business, Rosie said: “My mum had been working in finance for roughly 26 years. It wasn't what she wanted to do. She's really creative. She used to have a dressmaking business, so she loves anything creative. I don't think she was loving that kind of environment, that kind of job.”
Rosie had recently worked in corporate marketing but wanted more creative work. They shared a love of coffee, and Rosie had built relationships with local coffee roasters and milk dairy farm suppliers through a successful lockdown brownie business.
Despite leaving secure jobs, Rosie said: “It is scary, anything like that is always scary. But I think because we were doing it together, we have that support from each other. We wanted to do something that was successful but also that we were just happy doing. It's scary leaving any job and the stability that comes with it, but we would probably say it's worth it.”
