Plans for Bacchus Taverna's redevelopment remain unfulfilled

A former Greek restaurant in Liverpool has been closed for over three years, raising questions about its future. Bacchus Taverna, located at 14 Waterloo Road, was cherished for its authentic Greek dishes made from family recipes. The restaurant, owned by Diamantis Vagionos, received positive reviews, including one from the ECHO in 2016. In November 2021, Diamantis announced the restaurant’s closure, stating he was retiring. He expressed sadness about leaving but thanked loyal customers for their support. The closure came after plans were approved to build 135 apartments on the property, which also housed a café and a recording studio. The studio has since relocated. The new development, designed by LAGP Architects, promises to be a 16-storey building featuring a rooftop garden and commercial space. Planning permission was given in February 2021, but the project has faced delays. The council requires the developers to contribute to community projects, which has added to the timeline. Despite the planning approvals, no construction has begun at the site, which remains closed. Some windows are boarded up, while others are not. Local architecture firm LAGP was contacted for updates but has not provided any comments yet. The area around the former restaurant is changing, especially with the new Everton stadium set to open nearby. Local businesses, such as the Bramley-Moore Hotel and Murphy’s Distillery, are getting ready for a surge of visitors in the coming months. New dining options are also set to debut soon, but the fate of Bacchus Taverna remains uncertain.