Kurt Wilson and co-owner Harry Marquart opened Izakaya in Castle Street, Liverpool, last year and despite fierce competition in the area it has proved a hit with local diners. Tony McDonough reports

Former BBC TV Apprentice star Kurt Wilson is to expand his Liverpool-based Japanese-themed restaurant brand Izakaya across the Mersey into the Wirral.

Mr Wilson, and co-owner Harry Marquart, opened Izakaya in Castle Street, Liverpool city centre, last year and despite fierce competition in the area it has proved a hit with local diners.

Now the the pair are to open a second outlet in New Brighton, a part of the Wirral that has undergone significant regeneration in recent years and now is a popular waterfront location for restaurants and coffee shops. It will begin trading later this month.

“We had been talking about the limited amount of Japanese food on Merseyside and decided to open Izakaya once the Castle Street site became available,” said Mr Wilson.

“Since starting Izakaya we have also been running some other concepts at places like The Baltic Market. We currently have a stall there named “What The Duck” which has had huge success.

“Because of this we will be approaching the New Brighton site with a wider food offering and it will be a more Pan-Asian-led menu with many duck dishes as well as our substantial fresh fish offerings.”

Talking about the Wirral location, he added: “We’ve been looking for a site on the Wirral for some time as many of our customers have expressed a huge interest in us opening there. 

“When we saw the ‘Marine Social’ site we jumped at it given the demand and we know Wirral is crying out for more variety especially Japanese cuisine. Marine Social holds up to 250 covers at once – a large as well as beautiful space.

“Plus, the demographic is very similar to ours in the city centre. It’s actually just about a mile away as the crow flies too.”