Closure rumours quashed by bar-restaurant owners

OWNERS of an award-winning Burton bar and restaurant have quashed rumours that it was set to close, insisting that ‘business is booming’.

Roger Kerry, who is a majority shareholder in The Winery, in Manor Drive, spoke to the Mail to put an end to claims that the popular venue was to close its doors and instead revealed a recent change in management would continue the eatery’s ‘recent success’.

He said: “I would like to confirm once and for all that The Winery will not be closing and this has never been the case.

“This idea came about as part of a vicious rumour that we can now hopefully put to bed once and for all.

“I can confirm that a new couple have gone into the establishment to run it, but there has been no change in overall ownership.

“They are Leigh and Cathy who are expert restaurateurs and have more than 20 years experience in the business.

“For the past three-and-a-half years since we opened The Winery it has being going from strength to strength and we have done better every single year.

“Last year was our best yet. Business is booming and, with the new management, we expect this to continue well into the future.”

The Winery is an historic building transformed by James Kerry, his brother Richard, father Roger and family friend Andrew Gentles.

Once a monastic infirmary associated with Burton Abbey, the Grade II-listed building was formerly home to one of the town’s swankier restaurants, The Abbey Inn. It fell into decline over many years before finally closing.

But after a nine-month refurbishment, conducted in partnership with English Heritage, the building was reborn as The Winery.

Burton Civic Society was so impressed with the renovation that it awarded the bar and restaurant one of its coveted blue plaques — the first since 2007 — and one of the organisation’s top awards.