'Full steam ahead' as sisters launch Houghton's Bistro in Rainhill

Launching the Wine Club on Dane Court in 2018, Danielle Milnes and Rochelle Garbutt have been a central part of Rainhill’s food and drink scene in recent years, which has helped the village feel like a destination where people want to visit or stay local.

With a long-held dream of opening their own restaurant, the sisters felt that the time was right once the owners of the former Galleria restaurant announced their retirement on Warrington Road.

Despite some delays, the team had a quick ten-day turnaround once they got the keys and launched Houghton’s Bistro on Friday, November 17.

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The restaurant is named after the former Houghton's Street which cut between the building and Cookhouse pub (Image: Steve Samosa)
With a focus on traditional bistro food such as pies, steaks, and fish and chips, there is also a desire to mix things up at Houghton’s and try something new.

Highlighting the business’ instant popularity, Houghton’s has received some very positive feedback and more than two dozen five-star ratings online. 

Danielle said: “We have had lots of support already in the village, from local people and regulars at the Wine Club and Galleria.

”There was a ten-day turnaround once we got the keys, and it’s been nice and busy since then, so it’s been full steam ahead really.”

Head chef Chris with a selection of meals ready to go (Image: Houghton’s Bistro)

With the Wine Club offering a wide selection of imported wines, as well as cheese, charcuterie, and artisan pizzas, Danielle and Rochelle’s aim for Houghton’s is to add to Rainhill’s variety of venues and attract more people to the village.

With the village's mix of venues and community events, such as the Christmas light switch on, encouraging more people to stay local, Rainhill also has the benefit of being on the busy Manchester to Liverpool train line to entice more customers to the village.

A venison rump at Houghton’s (Image: Houghton’s Bistro)

Danielle added: “There is a great community here in Rainhill, and there is a lot of support from the local councillors, volunteer groups, and businesses.

”I think that’s why Rainhill as a whole seems to be doing well and there are more businesses opening rather than closing.

”It’s always been a dream to have our own restaurant, but after working in the industry, we knew it had to be the right opportunity.

”So when this came about in the village, down the road from the Wine Club, we knew it was the right time.”

With Danielle and Rochelle also planning to expand the unit next to Houghton’s into a private function space, to be called ‘Functions at 501', the sisters have high hopes for the village moving forward.

They also aim to retain the high standards of the Wine Club, and are offering lunchtime and midweek meals to attract more customers to try the restaurant.

More info can be found at Houghton’s Facebook page here.