to Kala.
Following time at some of the UK’s top restaurants, including The Chester Grosvenor, Chapter One, Chez Bruce and York & Albany. Our very own, Chef Gary Usher, opened Sticky Walnut in Hoole, Chester, in 2011 on a budget that meant he had to famously choose between a combi-oven or new tables and chairs.
After a few very successful years and a couple of award-wins later, we decided to open a second bistro. With no support from the banks, we launched a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter. Thanks to 891 backers, Burnt Truffle (name decided by Twitter) opened its doors in Heswall on the Wirral in July 2015.
Following Burnt’s success, we launched another Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign early in 2016 to open a third restaurant. Hispi (a type of cabbage) opened in Didsbury, South Manchester in October 2016.
Following time at some of the UK’s top restaurants, including The Chester Grosvenor, Chapter One, Chez Bruce and York & Albany. Our very own, Chef Gary Usher, opened Sticky Walnut in Hoole, Chester, in 2011 on a budget that meant he had to famously choose between a combi-oven or new tables and chairs.
After a few very successful years and a couple of award-wins later, we decided to open a second bistro. With no support from the banks, we launched a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter. Thanks to 891 backers, Burnt Truffle (name decided by Twitter) opened its doors in Heswall on the Wirral in July 2015.
Following Burnt’s success, we launched another Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign early in 2016 to open a third restaurant. Hispi (a type of cabbage) opened in Didsbury, South Manchester in October 2016.
In late 2016, we found a really beautiful but derelict building in Liverpool. We knew we had to open another bistro but with not much help from the banks, we needed to raise a huge £200k to make it happen.
In February, 2017, we held a five day pop up in the derelict Wreckfish building. Guests were invited to pay what they thought the meal was worth, with all money raised going straight into the crowdfunding pot. Reservations were launched a month in advance and booked up in less than 10 minutes, despite all guests being aware that there was no gas, electricity or running water.
We had to get seriously creative but we were completely humbled by the response. Check out what went down at the pop up here.
Launching in May 2017, the Kickstarter campaign was crazy- over 1,500 people pitched in to raise over £200k, smashing records for the most money ever raised for a restaurant on Kickstarter in the UK and the third most money raised for a restaurant worldwide.
We still can’t believe it. Wreckfish opened its doors in October 2017.
In late 2016, we found a really beautiful but derelict building in Liverpool. We knew we had to open another bistro but with not much help from the banks, we needed to raise a huge £200k to make it happen.
In February, 2017, we held a five day pop up in the derelict Wreckfish building. Guests were invited to pay what they thought the meal was worth, with all money raised going straight into the crowdfunding pot. Reservations were launched a month in advance and booked up in less than 10 minutes, despite all guests being aware that there was no gas, electricity or running water.
We had to get seriously creative but we were completely humbled by the response. Check out what went down at the pop up here.
Launching in May 2017, the Kickstarter campaign was crazy- over 1,500 people pitched in to raise over £200k, smashing records for the most money ever raised for a restaurant on Kickstarter in the UK and the third most money raised for a restaurant worldwide.
We still can’t believe it. Wreckfish opened its doors in October 2017.
A year after the Wreckfish crowdfunding campaign, we were back again, this time with Pinion in Prescot.
Like many town centres, Prescot is having to compete with retail parks that have left it a bit quiet. However, not only are there some really great shops on the high street and some truly great people, Prescot’s undergoing a regeneration with the possibility of Shakespeare North opening. After we went to take a look at the site and meet some of the amazing people who live and work in Prescot, we knew we had to open.
So, we did what we did best. We found a site and made a video. But this one was different; it was about community and people ‘got it’. We raised £50k in less than an hour… Pinion opened in September 2018, serving lovely bistro food in a beautiful but relaxed setting.
A year after the Wreckfish crowdfunding campaign, we were back again, this time with Pinion in Prescot.
Like many town centres, Prescot is having to compete with retail parks that have left it a bit quiet. However, not only are there some really great shops on the high street and some truly great people, Prescot’s undergoing a regeneration with the possibility of Shakespeare North opening. After we went to take a look at the site and meet some of the amazing people who live and work in Prescot, we knew we had to open.
So, we did what we did best. We found a site and made a video. But this one was different; it was about community and people ‘got it’. We raised £50k in less than an hour… Pinion opened in September 2018, serving lovely bistro food in a beautiful but relaxed setting.
The beautiful Kala is on King St in Manchester city centre and again was supported by our amazing friends of Elite Bistros. The Kala Kickstarter was the most ambitious of our crowdfunding campaigns to date, where we attempted to raise £100k in 100 hours to open. Breaking not only our own, but Kickstarter’s records, we raised £100k in 11 hours, making it the fastest funded restaurant project in the world. Yep, we still can’t believe it either.
The beautiful Kala is on King St in Manchester city centre and again was supported by our amazing friends of Elite Bistros. The Kala Kickstarter was the most ambitious of our crowdfunding campaigns to date, where we attempted to raise £100k in 100 hours to open. Breaking not only our own, but Kickstarter’s records, we raised £100k in 11 hours, making it the fastest funded restaurant project in the world. Yep, we still can’t believe it either.
