Stephen Garrity, the managing director of the Est Est Est brand, has opened a new restaurant called Est Est in Aigburth, Liverpool.
The former Marco Marco Restaurant director, who is managing director of the operation, has raised £500k via a consortium of local investors for the new venture.
The 1,800sq ft site is described as a “spacious, authentic, neighbourhood Italian ristorante and bar”.
The executive chef at the restaurant is Ian Crosby, who has worked for Bibis in Leeds, Piccolino’s nationwide and San Carlo in Manchester and Liverpool.
Garrity said: “In creating an authentic Italian neighbourhood restaurant, we wanted to draw on the qualities of community and energy that’s often found in suburban Italy. Replicating an all-round Italian experience was very important to us and Aigburth is the perfect place to showcase our blend of traditional Italian flavours fusioned with stylish surroundings.”
Inquesta Corporate Recovery was appointed as liquidator to the five-strong Marco Marco business, which last year secured a £3.5m investment from London-based private equity group Niton Partners.
The company, which launched three years ago, operated sites in Stockton Brook, Lichfield, Northwich, Lymm and Marple Bridge.
It had hoped to grow to up to 20 sites nationally, targeting small town and villages in the North West for its initial expansion push.
