The Victoria Street venue, which is said to generate more than £2 million a year, has been bought by hospitality boss Chris Carline and business partner and co-owner Paul Egan.
The pair have kept on all 30+ staff members of the chilled night spot and food go-to which covers around 10,000 sq ft across three floors and includes a ground-floor restaurant, mezzanine lounge, temple-themed garden and rooftop terrace.
And while it’s ‘business as usual’ for now with Zenn’s Pan-Asian dining, Sunday roasts, bottomless brunches, afternoon teas, and DJ-led night life and events continuing as normal, they have made it clear they want to do it all ‘even better’.
“We like what it does, and it does it well. That’s why we bought it,” admitted Chris. “It’s a plush, premium brand.
“But with any venue, you can always see gaps and ways to do things even better. We want to maintain what it offers already and drive it forward.”
Among the offerings that will get attention will be the Sunday roast offering and a brand-new a la carte menu is already being created along with plans to relaunch it next month with entertainment from local singer Bethany Webster to develop it into more of an experience.
Its brunch concept, including bottomless brunch, is being revamped, again with additional entertainment, and more ‘vibrancy and pzazz’ to make it more of a production.
From Spring onwards, more will be made of the incredible rooftop terrace which has panoramic views across Liverpool, including branching out into the corporate world which would mean opening the venue an increased number of days, instead of just the current Friday to Sunday.
They also hope to team up with more promoters across the country to host and develop themed events and standalone events.
Chris, grandson of Liverpool football legend Bill Shankly, has a wealth of hospitality experience. He is co-owner of the White Star Line Hotel which he bought and launched with Brian Gamble in summer 2025, and he created and founded The Shankly Hotel which he ran for more than 10 years.
He said: “When I was at The Shankly we were forever being asked by guests where they could go for a great night out, and we frequently said Zenn.
“It’s already right up there as Liverpool’s premium late-night location; it’s already part of the conversation – and we want to make it the definitive answer to the question.”
Chris added: “There’s a nostalgic element too for someone born and bred in the city.
“I can remember sitting in the classroom at West Derby Comp and looking out at the Liverpool skyline with St Johns Beacon and the cathedrals, and being so proud to be from this city, and desperate to get involved.
“To be able to say I co-own the city’s premier restaurant and bar is a huge thing for me, that’s why I’m passionate about driving it forward.”
See – https://www.zennliverpool.com/ for more information on Zenn.
Zenn -Restaurant – Bar – Roof – Terrace.
For further information about Zenn you can reference their and socials at:
https://www.instagram.com/zennliverpool/
https://www.facebook.com/ZennLiverpool/