Credited as being the birthplace of both Liverpool and Everton FC, The Sandon bar and hotel complex has been put up for sale by owner Kate Stewart for £3.75m. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool entrepreneur Kate Stewart has put the famous Sandon bar and hotel complex in Anfield up for sale with a price tag of £3.75m.
Property firm Christie & Co has been instructed to sell the freehold interest of the property which was originally opened in the 1870s and is credited with being the birthplace of both Liverpool and Everton football clubs.
It was originally owned by the founder of Liverpool FC, John Houlding, and the venue sits in the shadow the the club’s famous Anfield stadium. Ms Stewart bought the venue in 2017 and has made a significant investment and it now offers five refurbished function rooms and a revamped pub that runs a programme of events and entertainment.
She has also added a hotel element to the development. Fans who come to Anfield from all over the world can stay in one of 123 beds across 20 rooms. There is planning permission secured for a further six rooms.
“Since purchasing The Sandon in 2017, I have given it the TLC that it needed, regularly investing in the hospitality suites and creating a 115-bed hotel,” said Ms Stewart.
“The Sandon is an institution for football fans, and I have loved welcoming Liverpool FC fans from all over the world, but I’ve made the difficult decision to retire from the hospitality sector after more than 20 years to dedicate more time to my children, three of which are under six years old.
“I will miss The Sandon terribly, but I feel this is the right time to close this chapter and spend more time with my family while they are still so young.”
The Sandon offers a capacity for more than 4,500 people. It offers large outdoor screens for finals, live music and a wide range of food and drinks on offer all day ahead of kick-off at Liverpool matches.
Tom O’Malley, associate director in Christie & Co’s hospitality team, who is handling the sale, added: “With its historical associations and contracts with Liverpool FC, along with its proximity to Anfield stadium, this multi-faceted business is an exciting and rare opportunity.”