Family-owned Bristol restaurant chain Mezze is to open two new outlets over the next five months, taking its chain of redeveloped and converted pubs to five.
The group is spending £400,000 redeveloping The Warwick Arms in Clutton, near Midsomer Norton, which will be the fast-growing group’s fourth restaurant when it opens next month. This will be followed by the opening of Mezze at The White Lion in Portishead in May.
Mezze opened its first restaurant, Mezze at the Royal George in Thornbury, in 2008. It has since added the Ship and Castle at Congresbury and the Green Dragon at Downend.
The Warwick Arms’ extensive refurbishment and renovation includes a new cocktail bar, an a la carte restaurant and eight-bedroom boutique hotel. The building’s open fire is being turned into a central feature fireplace with a wood-burning stove.
A Mediterranean garden with Marshfields ice cream parlour and heated al fresco dining area for up to 100 people are being added along with an enclosed play area with pirate ship and castle, trampoline and picnic areas.
Mezze owner Alex Tryfonos said: “We are thrilled with the rapid expansion of the Mezze chain across the South West, which has regenerated the fortunes of several old and much-loved pubs in the region.
“To think five years ago we were a small Bristol company and now we have five Mezze outlets in the South West which employ more than 100 local residents in a variety of jobs.
“We believe that pubs are the hub of our local communities and through our continued self-funded investment we are helping to ensure that they continue to thrive as the focal point of these small towns.”
Mezze at the Warwick Arms opens to the public on February 9, following a series of pre-launch evenings from February 5-7 for local residents to see the transformation and a VIP launch evening on February 8 to which local sports stars and celebrities have been invited.
Alex added: “We are delighted to welcome everyone especially the local business owners and residents who have been fantastic in helping to support and officially launch our new venture.
“We have a team of executive and head chefs at Mezze who have gained very broad experience at Browns, SevernShed, Aqua, Melbournes and Redcliffs to name but a few.”
