Family run restaurant destroyed by new uni halls

Eureka, a family run Greek restaurant in Liverpool will be demolished to make way for a 260 bed block of freshers’ flats.

The demolition is forcing multiple businesses out of the shopping precinct.

The owners of Eureka, father and son George and Alex Lakovakis, have run their business from Myrtle Parade since 1981.

Eureka’s shop front with a local customer

Alex, 36, has worked for his father since he was 18 and, speaking to the Liverpool Echo, said: “I’ve got mixed feelings, a large part of my life has been there so I’m quite attached to it.

“We’ve built up a rapport with the customers in the area.

“We’re very close to the university and get a lot of trade from lecturers and staff who work there.

“We’ve built up a large customer base throughout Liverpool and beyond.”

Unfortunately, Eureka is not the only business on Myrtle Parade which can put its success partly down to trade from the University.

Johnny Lhang who runs the Chinese Tea House said: “The Chinese student community make up most of my regular customers.

“I’m quite happy to stay after they build the student accommodation but it will depend on the rent they charge.”

Alex himself agrees that the rent will now be far too high for local businesses, exposing the sorry reality that the community around Myrtle Parade is slowly crumbling due to academic gentrification.

Despite this being the end of an era, Alex is looking at the positives and remains optimistic about the move: “We’re on the fourth week of building the extension.

“The new premises is a new start and we’re having a baby so it’s a time of change.

“We’re very appreciative of the customers who have supported us over the years and hope we see them in our new restaurant.”