Old jail hopes to capture a whole new clientele

Dec 14 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

A CONVERTED Victorian prison which was transformed into a chic bar and restaurant in Liverpool city centre has reopened under new ownership.

The former Colin’s Bridewell in Campbell Square, off Duke Street, closed a year ago. It has now been taken over and refurbished by the Jalons brand, which already owns a restaurant in Smithdown Road.

Renamed Jalons Bridewell, it is hoping to take advantage of the extra trade provided by the nearby Liverpool One shopping complex in Paradise Street.

As part of the revamp, the seating in the seven original prison cells on the ground floor has been luxuriously reupholstered in velvet.

However, distinctive features such as the heavy, oak cell doors, spy-holes and iron rings used to chain prisoners have all been retained.

On the upper level, the restaurant has been completely redesigned to include a champagne lounge. The outside has also been sandblasted to reveal its original Victorian features.

General manager John Wignall said: “This building has a lot of history and we are in a good position to take advantage of Liverpool One.

“The substantial six-figure sum we have invested has revitalised the old building and brought it back to life.”

The two-storey Bridewell dates from about 1850 and was used as a police station and jail until 1932 when it was bought by Liverpool Central Clothing Committee, a charity distributing clothing and footwear to the needy and unemployed.

There is also a plaque to commemorate the fact that Victorian writing legend Charles Dickens signed up as a special constable at the Bridewell jail so he could research his novels about abject poverty in 1860.

Its large exterior wall was erected in the late 19th century after a riot by Chinese sailors.

The Grade II-listed building, which boasts an Italianate-style tower and the original Victorian ventilation system, is now a focal part of the regenerated Liverpool Rope Walks development.

The official launch takes place in January.

alanweston