Liverpool’s Metquarter has today opened its doors to the biggest food hall in the city. The 11,000 square foot space has been taken over by a new wave of independent food and drink traders.
GPO Liverpool, pays homage to the buildings past as the cities General Post Office and is the brainchild of northern hospitality revolutionaries The Milestone Group, alongside Metquarter owners Queensberry.
GPO opened its doors to much excitement earlier this week, with a successful pre-launch for more than 300 VIPs, influencers, and media attendees.
GPO will champion independent regional food talent, showcasing a wide variety of cuisine with a focus on high quality street food. This new and exciting space is the ideal destination for groups of friends and family, and city centre dwellers, who can dine together while opting for dishes from different vendors. Serving up in the starting line up at GPO will be ALS Gongcha, Chit N Chaat, Mor Mor, Restaurant Konjo, Monkey Board Coffee, Torito Taco, Jail Bird Nashville Fired Chicken, Patty B’s Burgers, Thai 25, Nama and ICE. (see more details on each vendor below.)
The food hall also includes a Grab & Go area – a place where the GPO showcases local independent businesses from Liverpool. Ideal for time poor city workers and local students, the quick-purchase station provides convenient and tasty lunchtime snacks, alongside unbeatable takeaway coffees and other hot drinks.
With ample open air seating facing onto recently upgraded Victoria Street, GPO sits behind the Metquarter’s beautiful historic 19th century façade next to Everyman Cinema. The opening marks a huge boost for this part of the city, creating over 130 new jobs.
Today’s launch completes the repurposing of Metquarter and complements its new and varied offer. GPO brings new life and activity to the building and surrounding area, following a challenging period for retail and hospitality.
Matt Bigland, Founder and Director at The Milestone Group said: “After months of hard work, we’re thrilled to finally open the doors to the food hall and invite the city of Liverpool to enjoy the unique independent vendors on offer. GPO will be a hub for Liverpool’s emerging food hall scene and will showcase the best in up-and-coming food and drink talent in the heart of Liverpool City Centre.”
The Traders:
Konjo Robatayaki Kitchen, from the team behind critically acclaimed Restaurant Joro, serves up street food like you’ve never tried before. The Japanese-Scandi mashup focuses on produce and flavour. Serving skewers, snacks, and small plates, expect fire-fuelled flavour with all dishes cooked over a Japanese Konro BBQ Grill.
Jailbird Nashville Fried Chicken brings loaded fries and great fried chicken, inspired by the owners’ travels across the US. With three levels of heat to choose from, chicken is served with just a hint of chilli, marinated in Carolina reaper, or clucking hot Nashville inspired spice.
Patty B’s Burgers – with the iconic, ironic Pat Butcher logo – describes itself as ‘“Just another f**king Burger Shop”. As Pat would say “You think Frank wants you – Mutton dressed as Lamb” Patty B’s does not pretend to be anything other than the best dirty-loaded burgers in town.
Instagrammable ice cream and desserts from Ice will be fresh, carefully selected, and delicious. Create your own combinations from ice cream sourced locally from a family business.
Serving modern Mexican street food in the heart of Liverpool, Torito Taco was founded by a team of like-minded foodies; a group of friends who have always liked to eat, drink, and create amazing food together. Freshness and creativity are their favourite ingredients.
Thai 25 delivers authentic tasting Thai Street food, cooked fast and fresh, with favourites including the fiery Choo Chee Curry and Nam Tok, a traditional barbecued meat dish.
Nama, meanwhile, will bring responsibly sourced sashimi grade fish, tuna, wagyu and caviar to GPO, served raw, fresh and natural.
Bringing India to the streets of Liverpool, both vibrancy and taste wise, Chit ‘N’ Chaat is where you’ll be able to immerse yourself in some fantastic flavours inspired by parts of both North & South India. Every food lover’s dream, with a blast of tasty flavours and textures in each mouthful.
MorMor is an award-winning independent food trader making health-conscious food inspired by the cuisines, cultures and colours of the Levant, the historical name given to the region spanning the eastern Mediterranean. Food is rich in colour, bold in flavour and made from only the freshest ingredients, locally sourced and organic where possible. Everything is made in house from award-winning shawarma, to classic shakshuka’s.
ALS Gongcha brings Bubble Tea from Alishan, the most famous tea-growing area in Taiwan. Made by blending a tea base with milk, fruit and fruit juices, then adding the signature “bubbles” – delicious tapioca pearls. These delicious fruit or tea infusions can be served either piping hot or iced cold.
Monkey Board Coffee sources the best single origin coffee from around the world supplying some quirky and unique blends. They work closely with their roasters to acquire top quality coffee and provide the best taste experience possible.
The GPO will be powered by iBe Loyalty, a multi ordering platform, allowing guests to order from their seat or while shopping within Metquarter. iBe Loyalty has been designed to benefit both customers and hospitality businesses, instantly rewarding guests with cashback on purchases and ensuring that 100% of every bill goes direct to merchants – not on commission for the app.
The food hall will be open Sunday to Thursday 8.30am until 11pm, and 8.30am until midnight on Friday and Saturdays, serving alcohol throughout. To book, visit the-gpo.co.uk/bookings/.