First Look: In the Little George Quarter

The Little George Quarter is a ‘homey’ cafe and wine bar on George Street, St. Helens.

Its owners have remodeled the former Bento Box Noodle venue to create an intimate space.

The ground floor bar opened last week as part of a phased start while work continues on the top floor, which will be a sports bar.

Part of W. Hecklrr Enterprise Ltd, the business marks a first foray into the hospitality sector for owner Christopher Hobin, who also runs construction company CJ Hobin Ltd.

The Little George Quarter is a stone’s throw from the more traditional George Pub and Mr Hobin hopes it will bring something different to the area.

There has been talk of making the area the city’s ‘cultural’ area for about two decades, and although a number of restaurants have now populated the surrounding streets, it has never become a destination for groups to go out in the evenings.

Speaking to the star on Wednesday, members of the Little George Quarter team said they were delighted to have received rave reviews from customers who got a taste of his hospitality last weekend.

The bar opened last weekend (Image: St Helens Star)

First impressions are that it is beautifully designed, with a stylish bar and impressive ceiling creating distinctive features.

Mr Hobin told the star he hopes the venue will appeal to customers both day and night. A chef has been appointed and as the phased opening progresses he will begin serving ‘light bites’.

It will be open all week from 8am and it is hoped customers will find it a point of contact before and after the train journey from St Helens Central Station.

The venue has a stylish bar (Image: St Helens Star)

Mr Hobin added: “We opened as a wine bar/cafe and the aim will be to serve light bites during the day/tea time and then become more of a soggy venue in the evening.

“Upstairs – when it’s ready in the next few weeks – will be a sports bar.”

He adds that while there are restaurants and traditional pubs in the area, there aren’t any smaller, intimate bars like this where people can meet before or after a meal: “We’re the Little George Quarter and hopefully we can emulate the Georgian Quarter help overall. ”

Later, the company also plans to open a restaurant/bar nearby in the former Dawsons music store next to the Mexican venue Sabroso to expand the mix of restaurants, which also includes Indian Ba’Bursi and Spanish restaurant La Casa Vieja and Italian The Green Olive.

The interior of the venue (Image: St Helens Star)

For now, the Little George Quarter, which has a 15-strong team working on rotation throughout the week, is focused on building its own reputation.

There is live music on weekends. It stocks beers, ales and spirits – and a limited wine selection.