Waverly Bar owners to create 'high-end' Chippenham venue

Earlier this year Grizzly Bars Limited, which owns the Prince of Wales Micropub on Station Hill in Chippenham, revealed plans to open a bar in the town’s Market Place.

The venue will be named The Waverly, in a nod to the Waverly Cafe that previously operated in the prominent building, and is set to open this July.

Greg Williams, one of five directors at Grizzly Bars, said the group is “pumped” to launch their latest venture in the town.

He said: “It’s exciting and daunting in equal measure because when we took on The Prince two years ago it was already an existing business.

READ MORE: Look of planned bar set to open in Wiltshire Market Place revealed

The planned look of The Waverly (Image: Knowles Signs)

“Opening up a new premises from scratch and fitting it out is quite a different project so we are daunted but excited.

“It’s a great location and we’re really proud to be business owners in the town so we’re really keen to keep it vibrant.”

The process of transforming the inside of the vacant unit into a bar has already begun with renovation works ongoing at the prominent building.

Grizzly Bars has received a grant from Wiltshire Council, under the Vibrant Wiltshire scheme, to help fund the regeneration of the site.

A planning application for the external appearance of the bar, including a new sign, is currently under consultation at the council.

Once the project is complete, Mr Williams plans for the venue to be a “vibrant” space offering something different to the existing location on Station Hill.

SEE ALSO: Plans for Chippenham bar get green light from council

The vacant premises in Chippenham Market Place (Image: Newsquest)

He added: “We’re full on fitting it out now, we’re trying to position this as a high-end bar that will be open from midday.

“It would be a cafe experience during the early part of the day and as we get towards the end of work the space will pivot to focus much more on the bar experience.

“We’ll be serving locally sourced craft beers but the bigger premises will enable us to have more taps and a greater variety.

“There will also be a wider selection of bottled wine and cocktails, The Prince of Wales will stay focused on beers but this premises will be a more high-end experience.”

An exact opening date for The Waverly is yet to be confirmed, but potential employees are currently being sought, with vacancies ranging from table servers to experienced bar staff.