Located in the shadow of Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium the Sando is home to nine bars, multiple function and hospitality suites as well as a 20-bed hotel. Tony McDonough reports

North Liverpool’s Sandon pub and hotel has reopened for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown in March.

Owner Kate Stewart decide to keep the venue, which is in the shadow of Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium, closed when the Government allowed hospitality venues to open back on July 4.

She and her team wanted to ensure they could reopen the Sandon, which is home to nine bars, multiple function and hospitality suites as well as a 20-bed hotel, with a strict adherence to all the new health and safety regulations designed to minimise the risk of the spread of coronavirus.

To celebrate the reopening, the Sandon is offering a new food menu on Monday, September 21, and will be hosting a socially-distanced tasting of the menu which is made up of pub favourites such as bubbly beer battered fish, chips and mushy peas, steak and ale pie with thyme pastry, mustard mash and thick gravy and cauliflower bhaji burger with fries.

Guests can also tuck into tasty small plates such as salt and pepper halloumi fries, Mongolian beef with egg noodles, king prawns with olive oil, garlic and chilli, chicken skewers with harissa and mint, thick chips with katsu mayo and smoked cheese and chorizo croquettes with garlic aioli.

Ricky Heath, general manager of the Sandon, said: “We’ve been eagerly anticipating the reopening of The Sandon and are delighted to be welcoming our guests back to the complex. We have carefully followed strict health and safety guidelines ensuring we’re completely COVID-secure.

“It’s been a strange few months for the hospitality industry but we’re really excited to reopen our doors with the introduction of a fantastic new food menu that’s packed with delicious, hearty dishes.”