ALMA de Cuba’s owners have opened up a new venture at the site of the Raven Irish American bar at the Albert Dock.

This is the third new acquisition in Liverpool for up-and-coming entrepreneur Rob Preston and his Pax Leisure company.

Two years ago they bought the popular Alma de Cuba nightspot, on Seel Street, from Rob Gutmann, owner of the Korova chain of bars and restaurants.

More recently Preston, along with business partner Stuart Ross, announced the opening of the £1m The Noble House in the Heywood Building off Liverpool’s Castle Street.

It is understood Raven, which only opened in May last year, and which was until recently another of Rob Gutmann’s empire, had ceased trading and the deal with Pax Leisure was brokered through landlords Albert Dock Trading Ltd.

Raven was one of four popular nightspots, alongside Korova, Babycream, and Circo at Albert Dock ordered to stop selling drink when their parent company went into administration in April.

Babycream has since closed and Korova has switched its address to the former Roadkill venue on Hope Street.

Raven has reopened under the name Portico Cantina and Bar.

Mr Preston said: “We are confident that Portico Cantina & Bar will become another highly successful and popular addition to Pax Leisure’s growing portfolio of restaurants and bars.”

No one from Korova was available for comment.