Gerrard enters the restaurant game

Liverpool and England footballer Steven Gerrard has bought an undisclosed stake in his favourite restaurant, the Warehouse Brasserie in Southport.

Paul Adams, the hotel and restaurant operator who owns the Warehouse, as well as the Vincent Hotel in Southport, will use Gerrard's backing to refurbish and relaunch the restaurant in time for the World Cup. Adams and Gerrard plan to roll out the concept to other towns and cities, themed on New York 'hipster bars' found in the Tribeca district.

The Waerehouse, which has Merseyside's only Michelin Bib Gourmand rating, will be rebranded as the Warehouse Kitchen & Bar.

Gerrard said: "If you look back at any interviews I have done where they have asked me about my favourite restaurant – and I have done a lot over the years – I have always said the Warehouse.

"I have been eating there for years because I love the food and the atmosphere, so it is genuinely exciting to become its co-owner with Paul."