A long-standing Liverpool restaurant has shut its Aigburth Road doors after lease negotiations broke down; owner Christakis Georgiou is already scouting new locations and aims to reopen in the city
The sudden shuttering of Christakis on Aigburth Road has sent ripples through the neighbourhood — staff stunned, regulars disappointed, and a familiar lunchtime spot suddenly gone. Owner Christakis Georgiou says the closure came after lease talks collapsed when the building was sold to a new owner.
The restaurant had been a local fixture for five years, beloved by families and long‑standing customers.
A recent refurbishment made the blow harder. Georgiou estimates about £80,000 was spent on new flooring and furniture, much of which couldn’t be moved intact and had to be sold off.
That capital, tied up in the premises, and the loss of daily takings created immediate financial strain.
How it happened
Landlord notice that the lease would not be renewed was followed quickly by the sale of the property. Management says attempts to secure a new contract fell apart once the building changed hands.
Service stopped with almost no public warning — regulars turning up to a closed door and a notice pinned to it. Staff were reportedly given only a short window to collect personal items and paperwork.
The human cost was visible. Two long‑serving chefs, who had worked at the business for 26 and 24 years respectively, were said to be overcome with emotion when they heard the news. Georgiou described the scene as heart‑rending, and says he urged his team to stay hopeful, reminding them that hospitality sometimes requires hard choices but that the family would regroup.
Family history and recent changes
The Georgiou family have gradually consolidated their operations in recent years. After a failed lease renewal, they closed their Duke Street site and concentrated resources on Aigburth Road — spending roughly £20,000 to refurbish the Cressington restaurant as part of that change. They also run a stall at Boxpark in the Baltic Market, which now provides a steady revenue stream while larger venues are reassessed.
Older family venues, including a long‑standing Renshaw Street site founded by a previous generation, have also closed, shrinking the group’s footprint in the city. Renos Georgiou, 32, says the family will reassess its assets and explore options for the Aigburth Road location, though no timetable for reopening or redevelopment has been given.
Plans and next steps
Christakis is determined to find a new Liverpool site and is actively scouting several busy areas — Woolton Village, Lark Lane, Bold Street and Castle Street among them. He expects some of his long‑serving staff to move with him once a new premises is secured, but declined to give details on rental terms or a provisional opening date. Meanwhile, the family’s presence beyond Liverpool grows: they already operate restaurants in Manchester and have announced openings in London and Birmingham later this year. Renos admits expansion brings logistical and financial challenges, but positive responses from customers outside Liverpool have encouraged them to press on.
Keeping a foothold in the city
For now the family stall at Baltic Market keeps the Georgious — Georgiou — name on the city map. Trading there allows them to test menus, keep staff engaged and maintain customer ties while they search for a permanent site. It’s a practical stopgap that helps fund the search and the fit‑out work required for any new venue.
Christakis speaks about Liverpool with obvious affection and a determination to return. “The restaurant floor is more than a job,” he says; “it’s our way of life.” He expects the next three to six months will be a period of searching and rebuilding — and hopes customers will soon be asking him again, “How are you, Mr Christakis?”
