Sheldrakes restaurant in Lower Heswall given grant to develop tourism

Oct 27 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

A LOWER Heswall restaurant has been given a grant to help develop its location on the banks of the River Dee.

Wirral Council is now encouraging more of its rural tourism businesses to apply to the Mersey Rural Leader programme after Sheldrakes restaurant was awarded the cash.

Sheldrakes plans to convert the first floor of the building into a new function suite with views of the Dee Estuary which will offer conferencing, executive meetings and private dining.

The council says a number of jobs will be created by the development and a range of other local tourism businesses will benefit as accommodation providers, food producers and breweries receive a boost from the increased capacity and nature of the business.

Helen Demetrios, owner and manager at Sheldrakes Restaurant, said it was wonderful news.

She said: “I took on Sheldrakes seven years ago and the restaurant has gone from strength to strength. Now I want to make it an all year round business, rather than just a fantastic fine dining experience in the spring, summer and autumn.

“This grant will allow me to do that and I have already had enquiries for small conferences, executive meetings and weddings.”

Cllr David Elderton, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, said: “The development at Sheldrakes Restaurant is a great project that is sure to attract new visitors to the peninsula.

“The rural economy is of particular importance to Wirral, employing over 21% of Merseyside’s workforce, and contributing £4.6 billion to the sub-region’s economy.”

For an application form and guidance contact Paula Malley on 443 2297.