A community leader has welcomed the opening of Ipswich's new 'bold and brilliant' wine bar after after months of refurbishment.
Ipswich Central chair Steve Flory said that it's "a pleasure to welcome" Hatton Court in the Tower Court Yard as it prepares to open its doors for the first time on Saturday, April 24.
Since the start of the year, anticipation has been building after it was announced that the former Church's bar near Ipswich Minster would be brought back to life by Gareth Harper and Neil Hawes, the team behind Bar Twenty-One.
Hatton Court promises to be “intimate, atmosphere-led nightlife experience” with a focus on on music, lighting and cocktails rather than a traditional pub offer.
Mr Flory, chair of Ipswich Central said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Hatton Court to its new chapter. As an experienced operator, it’s always exciting to see a venue with history evolve, and transforming the former Church’s site into a top‑end wine bar is a bold and brilliant step.
"Ipswich Central wish the entire team every success as they bring something fresh, refined, and truly special to the Town, please give it a try."
When plans for the new bar were announced in January, Mr Harper, said: "We are really excited to open the new venue, with a more refined atmosphere in a beautiful building that is tucked away.
"A lot of places are closing down but we are running towards adversity and opening more because I really believe in Ipswich and the town's nightlife.
"We want to help improve the nightlife in the town and we think we can if it is done right."
A new licence was approved by Ipswich Borough Council recently, which grants Hatton Court permission to play recorded music inside the premises from 9am to 3am every day, serve alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 9am to 3am every day and serve late night refreshment from 11pm to 3.30am.
