Rush Opens Reds New Boot Room

Liverpool legend Ian Rush was a hat-trick hero as he officially opened the brand new LFC Boot Room Sports Cafe at Cheshire Oaks on Thursday night.

A year on since Anfield opened its own Boot Room in the Kop, Cheshire Oaks in Ellesmere Port was the venue as the Reds unveiled their latest restaurant.

And Rush rose to the occasion with familiar goalscoring style as he netted all three penalties in a brand new 'sim goal' spot-kick simulator, just installed at the new venue, which gives fans the experience - and the joy - of taking a penalty kick at the Kop end.

"I travel the world with Liverpool Football Club and I know how much this club means to many people far and wide, but to see us opening a new Sports Cafe just over the water in the Wirral is fantastic," said Rush.

"I'm from the Wirral myself and I'm really proud that Liverpool have come over here to Cheshire Oaks and opened this brilliant new place.

"We are a family club and this is a family restaurant. It's a place to bring the kids and to have a great time. I'm really proud to have cut the ribbon and officially opened it tonight. I'm sure it will go from strength to strength."

The Mayor of Ellesmere Port Cllr Angela Claydon spoke about the role the Boot Room can play in the continued development of the area before acclaimed impressionist Darren Farley and Star sailor singer James Walsh took to the stage to begin the entertainment on a star studded night in front of an invited audience, which included a number of former Liverpool players.

Liverpool FC Operations Director Andrew Parkinson explained: "This is the first step in taking the Boot Room franchise outside of Liverpool and I must say it looks fantastic.

"It's just over a year since we opened our first Boot Room and it's quite fitting that today the Boot Room here in Cheshire Oaks has leapt ahead of the one at Anfield in the Open Table restaurant reviews.

"The focus rightly will always be about what happens on the pitch - and we have had success this season in the Carling Cup with the FA Cup still to come - but away from the football we are moving forward as a club and this is another great example of that.

"The restaurant looks great, the food is amazing and the service is second to none. We are confident this is going to be a big success and we would encourage people in the area to come along and see for yourself what we have to offer. "

The Boot Room restaurant seats over 200 people in a 5,500 sq ft unit and has Liverpool memorabilia, private booths, TV screens and an outside children's area.

"We haven't been open long but the Boot Room has started really well," said Restaurant Manager Richard Simkin.

"We've been really busy, we regularly host parties, there are christenings planned for later in the year and talk of weddings as well, so we're very excited about what the future holds."

Ian Rush added: "I'd advise anyone in the area - Liverpool fans and non Liverpool fans - to come along. The Boot Room is in a great area at Cheshire Oaks, it's a state of the art restaurant with something for everyone and I'm sure you won't be disappointed."