Purnell to open gastro pub in town
BIRMINGHAM’S best-known chef is set to open a new pub and restaurant in the Midlands.
The Mount by Glynn Purnell will open at the end of March in a 200-year-old building in Henleyin-Arden High Street, in Warwickshire.
Described as a “new and exciting eating and drinking experience”, it replaces the former Butchers Social pub, which has moved to
The Forest Hotel in Dorridge.
It is the Michelin-starred chef owner’s latest venture after closing Purnell’s Bistro in Birmingham city centre. The focus of the menu will be pub food with the innovative, creative edge Purnell is renowned for.
The chef, who cooks at his flagship Purnell’s restaurant in Cornwall Street, has moved most of his bistro staff to The Mount.
He had initially planned to open a replacement for Purnell’s Bistro in Knowle, Solihull, but in an interview with the Post in September, he revealed that after closing the bistro, the Knowle venture had fallen through.
He said: “Having to close The Bistro before Christmas 2020 because of government restrictions meant we got to the point where we decided to just let the lease run down.
“The plan had been to move that business to Knowle, but we didn’t get the agreement we wanted with the landlord there.”
Solihull’s loss is Henley-inArden’s gain. Last year, Purnell teased his upcoming involvement with a Warwickshire pub but was unable to confirm details at the time.
It’s shaping up to be a busy year for the Saturday Kitchen star. Purnell is also set to open a new place in Coventry, a fine dining restaurant at the city’s historic Charterhouse – a former monastery.
Purnell told the Post: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be opening The Mount in Henley-in-Arden.
The Mount is my first venture outside of Birmingham city centre and I’m very excited to be joining such a thriving community.
“I’ve already had such a lot of support and well wishes since the news has got out about our opening.
“We’re currently taking bookings from the end of March.
“Until then, we’re undergoing a refurbishment. The refurbishment will keep the feel of the 16th century pub, with a modern twist in the restaurant area.”