A NEW fine-dining restaurant will be opened in Coventry’s historic run-down Charterhouse by one of the UK’s best known Michelin star chefs.
Glynn Purnell, who holds a Michelin star at his eponymous restaurant in Birmingham, is planning to open his third eatery at the Charterhouse in Coventry.
The Grade 1 listed 14th Century Carthusian monastery – one of only ten ever built in Britain – is owned by Historic Coventry Trust (HCT) which is starting an £8million restoration project in June this year.
The Charterhouse will form the centrepiece for a major new heritage and educational attraction.
The adjoining coach house will be converted into the, as yet unnamed, eatery which will have 30 covers on the ground floor, with 20 more in a first-floor bar.
To the rear, a new 150 seat conference and wedding venue is being built as a reconstruction of the original monks’ cloister.
Purnell said: “I am thrilled and proud to be part of what is unquestionably going to be an amazing venue.
“The Charterhouse is a remarkable building of national importance and the project to restore it is fantastic.
“Ian and his team have made massive headway and their plans will see the Charterhouse become an attraction of regional and national standing.”
He continued: “It is an honour to be part of one of the most important times in Coventry’s history as it gears up to be the UK City of Culture in 2021. Bringing the Purnell’s brand to the city of Coventry is very exciting, especially to be doing so on such a historic ground.”
Harrabin said that planning consent was already in place and, subject to raising the necessary funding, the restaurant could be open in time for 2021.
“Striking a deal with Glynn is a real coup for Coventry and will hopefully bring a Michelin star to the city for the first time,” he said. “This builds on a recent boom in new quality restaurants coming into the city centre.”
After training with top chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, Glynn travelled abroad to work with well-known Michelin starred chefs in Europe. He went on to help launch Jessica’s in July 2003, which was awarded Birmingham’s first Michelin star back in 2005.
Glynn became a household name after taking part in The Great British Menu, winning twice and then later appearing as a mentor. He has previously featured on The Great British Food Revival and The Secret Chef, among other television programmes.
He can regularly be seen on Saturday Kitchen as a host and guest chef. He presented the latest series of My Kitchen Rules UK alongside Rachel Allen on Channel 4 in 2017.
