Cirencester restaurant Harry Hares will reopen next month under a new name: Henry’s Seafood Bar & Grill.

The Gosditch Street eatery was a firm favourite dining destination before it closed down in the early 2000s, before coming back in various guises including Chophouse and St Austell’s Graze.

Most recently it was being run by Liz Maw, but she left at the end of 2021 when St Austell Brewery decided not to renew and the building. The restaurant has been closed ever since.

Since then it has undergone a complete makeover with modern art a feature throughout as well as new furniture including oak dining tables made by local tradesmen. Work on the large garden has also begun.

Initially a date of April 19 had been set, but it has now been confirmed that Henry's will not be opening until May.

The restaurant is now being run by Notorious Plates, who also run Waterside Kitchen and Bar on the Cerney Lakes and The Crown at Cerney Wick, and 30 jobs have been created as a result.

“Henry’s will be a modern British-led restaurant with a heavy seafood influence, there will be a seafood counter for you to choose your fresh seafood items from around our rich coastline,” said manager Tom Holland.

 

New Henrys managers Tom Holland and Alice Westcombe

New Henry's managers Tom Holland and Alice Westcombe

“The raw bar will have oysters, caviar, Newlyn lobsters and St Ives crab.

"We have dry ageing salt fridges being installed for beef which is sourced from local farms and delivered through our supplier, this will include Devon Ruby Red, Herefords and Aberdeen Angus as well as some British Wagyu.

"Bread will be baked every morning and we are going to do our own charcuterie in-house.

“Staff are joining us from across the country, including hospitality experts from London and Cornwall.

“We cant wait to open, and of course we will have a great selection of champagnes, wines and beers for you to try.”