Acclaimed chef Andrew Sheridan and businessman Sam Morgan, have taken over the Red Lion in Newent to open their first pub and restaurant venue in Gloucestershire.
Morgan and his wife Emma are the driving forces behind the south midlands group About Dining, which already runs Birmingham-based restaurants Craft and its flagship 8 at the International Convention Centre, as well as Black & Green in Barnt Green, along with Sheridan, who has appeared on the The Great British Menu and Come Dine with Me: The Professionals and holds three AA rosettes.
8 recently featured in the Michelin Guide and The Times Top 10 worldwide dining experiences, with Black & Green also making the guide in November 2022, and now the About Dining team has turned its attention to the former pub in the centre of Newent with refurbishment plans already well underway.
‘We are splitting the building into two. We will be doing food in the pub, traditional British classics, and upstairs will be a fine dining restaurant,’ said Morgan, who is a former protection officer to celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham.
‘The site will feature a new garden, converted barns for new dining space and some cool dining pods that feature an amazing wood fired menu.’
The Red Lion will be renamed The Wye Inn and will benefit from what Morgan describes as ‘a significant investment’ creating 37 jobs.
‘People will be able to eat and drink well at the pub, with a simple menu, or, if they want to enjoy something a little special, they can pop next door to the aptly named Severn & Wye,’ said Morgan.
Sheridan added: ‘We are expanding considerably in 2023 and I can’t wait to bring our food to Gloucestershire.
‘We have been looking for suitable locations to open new neighbourhood restaurants. Newent – given its beautiful setting and proximity to the group owner’s home – proved to be the ideal place.’
The opening date for the Gloucestershire pub and restaurant is yet to be confirmed, but is expected to be in March or April 2023, with recruitment already underway.
