Gastropub chain to open venue in city’s Park Place

A FOOD company that runs some of the best-known gastropubs in South Wales is about to open its fifth venue.

The Knife & Fork Food company already owns four pubs in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and has announced it will be opening a new pub at the former 29 Park Place.

That bar and restaurant closed its doors in January, with the owner blaming rising business rates in the city centre.

But the venue will be re-opened in July after undergoing a £200,000 refurbishment and will have a bar area, open kitchen, restaurant and a small private dining-room on the first floor.

The portfolio of the new owners includes the Conway, in Pontcanna, Cardiff, the Pilot, in Penarth, the Old Swan Inn, in Llantwit Major, and the Discovery, Cyncoed, Cardiff.

They describe the venues as each having their own unique style, ambience and seasonal menus.

The company says the acquisition of 29 Park Place, which will be known as Twenty Nine Park Place, is the next step in an expansion strategy for the regional pub group that was established in 1999 with Woods Brasserie and now has a turnover of around £3.7m.

The move into Cardiff city centre has been largely self-funded by Knife & Fork Food, and is the result of several years of careful consideration regarding its next move.

Speaking about the new venture, Sean Murphy, one of three partners who own the group, said: “Until now we’ve always considered ourselves to be a company that specialises in community pubs and to date we have been very successful at that; however, when we saw Twenty Nine Park Place we simply couldn’t resist such a magnificent opportunity.

“The venue is stunning and our move into town heralds the beginning of a whole new era for us. Our current customers will certainly feel at home when we open as it will very much have the Knife & Fork Food stamp on it; however, we’ve unquestionably scaled it up a notch, now that we’re in the city centre.

“We’re looking forward to opening our doors in July, but for now we’re very busy making it the very best city pub with food it can possibly be.

“And, in association with Wonder Company, who have put together a contemporary yet comfortable design, it promises to be worth a visit.”

The head chef will be Steffan Bonnifay, who is currently in charge at the Discovery.

Speaking about the plans for the bar, Sean says: “We’ll have a range of 14 keg and cask craft ales from Wales and all over the world. It’s something I’m really looking forward to curating.

“Gin and rum will also be the big focus for us, and like all of our other venues, there will also be a whisky corner.”