Popular Sutton Park venue The Bracebridge to open again under new ownership

The Bracebridge restaurant in Sutton Park, which closed suddenly in October, will open again at the end of January, under new ownership.

One of the region’s most famous and picturesque restaurants and noted for its fine dining, The Bracebridge and its associated kiosk snack area, closed suddenly with a Facebook message saying they were closing with a ‘heavy heart’.

It has now been acquired by a consortium involving the Open Restaurants group and is undergoing a refit with work well under way at the venue.

The Liverpool-based group runs several high end eateries including 8, Black and Green, OXA and The Craft Bar.

It is understood The Kiosk, a popular stop-off point for walkers and cyclists in the park, is being converted into a cafe and bakery, while the restaurant is redecorated and the refurbished outside terrace will feature a bar area.

The Bracebridge, situated in the heart of the 2,400 acre Sutton Park overlooking the pool, was previously run by the Stonnall-based Brough family. it is unclear what the reason was for the closure, but the hospitality industry has been suffering a torrid time, first with the pandemic, staff shortages and then rocketing energy prices, putting pressure on profits.

Before closure, the waterside restaurant, formerly known as The Boathouse, comprised two dining areas, including the main dining room and the adjoining terrace and the kiosk, with seating for up to 150 people.