The owner of the brand new The Grand in Southport has revealed how he and his wife enjoyed their first ever date in there – 23 years ago!
Andrew Mikhail, the boss of Mikhail Hotel and Leisure, is now looking forward to realising his dream of seeing the landmark building opening this July with his ambitious £3million transformation nearly complete.
The beautiful Grade II Listed art deco building first opened in 1923 – it is due to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year.
In its time it has served as a car showroom; a cinema; and more recently as the ‘Grand Casino’, until its closure saw it closed for the past several years.
The Grand now faces an exciting new future with an opening date for The Grand Brasserie and Chloe’s Piano Bar, the ground floor, revealed for Friday 15th July 2022.
The Princess Grace Suite, one of the finest wedding and function suites in the North West, accommodating up to 250 people, will open a couple of weeks later for viewings.
Harry’s Rooftop Bar and The Sky Bar are scheduled to be open by Christmas.
Reservations for the Brasserie and Chloe’s Piano Bar are now available on the venue’s website,
Andrew Mikhail said: “Bringing fabulous buildings back to life is such a rewarding feeling, it’s what I love to do, and a building as stunning as The Grand deserves to be enjoyed by the people of Southport and beyond.
“I have very fond memories of the original Grand. I took my then girlfriend and now wife, Vicky, to our first date to the Stanley Casino restaurant on the first floor 23 years ago. Sadly, I lost my money but I gained a wife!
“It feels so strange to be owning not only The Grand but the surrounding venues, Lord Street Hotel, Punch Tarmey’s and The Bold as they are all places I visited as a kid with my parents.”
Andrew Mikhail hopes that, when the doors open and people see just what has been created, they will see a new venue they can really be proud of.
He said: “It was a sensible decision taking on The Grand, being the most iconic building on Lord Street.
“It made sense having already invested millions into our current developments in Southport’s Northern Quarter, directly adjacent and opposite, all with the support of the local community.
“We really hope that the people of Southport are proud of what we have done and come out in force to support our new venture as my life and soul has gone into this project.
“The Grand is, in many people’s opinion, the jewel in the crown of not only Lord Street but of Southport.”
- Find out more about The Grand and view sample menus at: www.thegrand.co.uk
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
