The Giggling Squid could open in the city center as new plans are lodged

Hopes of a major restaurant chain opening a site on one of Liverpool’s original seven streets appear to be back on the table.

Last month, proposals for the Giggling Squid to take up residence on Castle Street were abruptly withdrawn. The company was looking to establish its first venue in the North West on a Grade II listed site that had been occupied by the Point Blank shooting bar.

Now, with the bar having vacated the ground floor next to the Castle Street Townhouse, new plans have been submitted to Liverpool Council for consideration over the future of the former bank building.

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Giggling Squid is the latest business to consider moving into the former business district, after proposals from Vietnamese chain Pho and Turkish brand Elif meant they would populate the busy street.

According to planning documents submitted to Liverpool Council, the brand is looking to convert the building – previously occupied by Barclays Bank – into the Thai food space. A heritage statement said: “The lower ground floor was laid out as Point Blank.

“This involved blacking out the windows to install projector screens and group booths. This interior arranged to be unclogged in empty spaces of the building.”

It added how the work would impact on the site’s Grade II listed status. The documents said: “Considering each element of the proposed works, it can be seen that none of the works cause undue harm to the structure of the listed building.

“The interior of the building was formerly greatly altered on the lower and upper floors, and little remains that could be considered of interest. The fabric of the building which is of importance is primarily the classically detailed stone front elevation facing Castle Street and to a lesser extent the side elevations are also largely intact and exhibit a certain refinement of the details.

“The proposed works do not unduly affect these quotas.”

An existing kitchen will be replaced and a new ground floor entrance will be reconfigured. An application form submitted by applicant Roman Proskurnya on behalf of Giggling Squid, said a total of 30 full-time and part-time jobs would be created at the new restaurant.

It is proposed that the restaurant, subject to planning permission from the city council, would trade from noon to 10.30pm daily. Cllr Nick Small, who represents the City Center North ward, said: “I very much welcome this application from what appears to be a quality operator.

“Castle Street has a very good night-time economic offer and has grown steadily over the last few years. Giggling Squid looks like a great addition to Castle Street. I hope the operators will also work closely and constructively with the local residents who live around Castle Street.”

A date has yet to be confirmed for the plans to go before the local authority.

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