Two masked men stole cash from What's Cooking?, a long-standing restaurant at Liverpool's Royal Albert Dock, before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, August 17, when the pair entered the restaurant at Britannia Pavilion and made their way to the office area.
Staff Confront Suspects
After stealing cash, the men attempted to escape, but a member of staff confronted them and managed to grab one of the suspects, ripping his clothing. The pair then fled toward The Strand.
Merseyside Police said extensive CCTV and witness enquiries have been carried out since the incident. The force has released images of two men it believes could assist with its investigation.
Restaurant's Long History at Albert Dock
What's Cooking? was originally based in Edward Pavilion and is now located in the Grade 1-listed Queen Elizabeth Hall. It is the longest-serving restaurant in Royal Albert Dock, having first opened in 1984.
Owner Lee Brennan, originally from West Derby, previously told the ECHO about bringing the business to Liverpool. He said he already had two What's Cooking? restaurants in Wirral, one in West Kirby which opened in 1978 and one in Heswall which opened in 1981.
Regeneration of the Docks
Brennan said he was approached by architect designer Carl Thompson, who had offices in Birkenhead Park, about a scheme at the Albert Dock set up by Merseyside Development Corporation, with investors Arrowcroft. The project was marketed as a regeneration of the docks and redundant dock buildings, following the International Garden Festival and other developments in the city.
In the 1990s, Brennan sold the business, and the company that bought Est Est Est and What's Cooking? decided the Edward Pavilion site would become home to Italian restaurant Gusto, prompting What's Cooking? to move to the Grade I listed Queen Elizabeth Hall.
In 2016, Brennan bought back his Albert Dock business 18 years after selling it. Through the decades, What's Cooking? has remained a constant presence at the Albert Dock.
Merseyside Police said anyone with information should contact the social media desk using X or Facebook @MerPolCC, report information via the website, or call 101 quoting incident reference 26000672133.
