The Netherwood Estate’s restaurant Sow in Worcestershire has closed down with the departure of Andrew Sheridan’s Open Restaurant Group (ORG) – which, in another move, has acquired Gary Usher’s Wreck Bistro in Liverpool.
ORG ran Sow for a little over a year, taking over a notably attractive space (pictured) that has a checkered history – originally launched in 2019 as Pensons by chef Lee Westacott, who left after less than a year, it was subsequently operated as Native by Ivan Tisdall-Downes, whose reign was equally short.
Meanwhile, Wreck is the second site ORG has taken over from Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros in quick succession following Hispi in Didsbury. It was opened, originally as Wreckfish, in 2017, and will serve its final meals on Sunday 4 October.
Gary said: “Wreck has been such an important part of our journey over the years, so choosing the right people to take it forward was really important to us.
“Following the success of the Hispi acquisition, we know Andy and the Open Restaurant Group team will give Wreck the same care and attention, and importantly, they’ve shown that they understand how important the people behind a restaurant are by retaining the existing team. I’m really excited to see what they do with the site and know it’s going to be in good hands.”
ORG already has a strong presence in Liverpool, Andrew’s home town and the location of his flagship restaurant 8. Restaurant Daise is on the far bank of the Mersey in Oxton.