A NEW-look eatery in Oswestry town centre could open its doors as early as next month.
The Old School House, based in the building formerly occupied by the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre, is set to open early in July after renovation works carried out by new owner, Sophie Dillon, have been completed.
Sophie, who also runs Hayes Kitchen, in Beatrice Street, is eager to reopen the building to the public and is excited with the plans in place ahead of next month.
She said: “I think the great thing about this place is going to be the fact that it’s so all-inclusive.
“It has this wonderful outdoor area which we’re really keen to get up-and-running with the summer weather.
“It will be a nice place for families, couples and so on. I am a keen cyclist myself, and Oswestry and north Shropshire is a great destination for cyclists – I’d like to establish this as a bit of a destination for them post-ride or pre-ride.
“We’re just so excited about it and I think Oswestry is too – I want to be open in July, so hopefully not long to wait.”
Work is ongoing at the historic building, while some parts of the building have been furnished with upcycled and recycled items.
The eatery will have a food menu with an indoor and outdoor area, a bar and a takeaway hatch.
Sophie hopes it will become a destination where people can enjoy a relaxed afternoon or evening with friends, as a family, or as an individual.
“I lived in Melbourne for a long time, and Sunday there is the day when people go out in the day – you’re lucky to get a table over there on a Sunday,” she added.
“I just think we could get that going here and I think especially with us kicking it off in the summer with this kind of weather.
“People can safely spread out here – one of the things I underestimated when we got here was just how much room there is.
“We’re just really excited to get going and it’s not too long to wait now.
“I am honoured to have been entrusted with this building and I think we’ve done it proud.
“I’m very proud and happy of what we have achieved with it so far.”
Sophie is also looking to welcome dogs to the site, and hopes to decorate a wall with pictures of the four-legged visitors.
“We will absolutely be dog friendly,” she said.
“We have dogs inside at Hayes Kitchen too and we’re keen to establish the Four Paw Hall of Fame here which we have at Hayes too.
“Each dog that visits gets their photograph taken and a fresh meat treat, and go on the wall with their name and the date of their visit.”
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