Jobs on the menu as Shrewsbury restaurant reopens
A landmark Shrewsbury restaurant is to reopen next month under new ownership.
More than 20 jobs are being created by the reopening of The Bellstone in the town centre.
New manager Doug Blackmore will be in charge of running the business for joint owners Ian Morris, Dan Fletcher and Andrew Huffer.
About £200,000 is being poured into an ongoing renovation of the site, with the team behind the new business hoping that it will be opening to the public in early to mid-October.
It will also have 12 bedrooms for overnight guests.
Mr Blackmore said he hoped the new team would be able to restore the business to its former glory after a chequered history in the past few years, including a brief stint as an Asian restaurant.
"We all remember it when it was one of the flagships of Shrewsbury," he said.
"Over the last seven to eight years, it hasn't lived up to its reputation."
In April 2011, the Bellstone reopened after a £100,000 revamp.
Its restaurant had a focus on Mediterranean and traditional English cuisine.
However, it was closed by the following March.
The lease was then taken over by the owners of the Dragon King restaurant in Old Pott's Way, who turned the venue into Japanese sushi restaurant. However, that too closed.
The new restaurant will be able to seat up to 70 diners at one time.
Mr Blackmore said the area has plenty of potential, especially given Shropshire Council's long-term plans for the redevelopment of the west end of Shrewsbury.
"It is a great area with Ashley's and Morgan's at one end and The Source Bar, The Beach and Montgomery's Tower at the other," he said.
Workers such as bar staff, waiters and waitresses, housekeepers and cleaners are now being recruited.
For more information e-mail jobs@thebell stone.co.uk
