Glynn Purnell to open restaurant within a 14th-century monastery
Glynn Purnell has revealed plans to open a third restaurant in Coventry's Charterhouse.
The property is owned by Historic Coventry Trust (HCT) which is starting an £8m restoration project on the building in June, part funded by a £4.3m grant from the National Lottery. 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 serve both Á la carte and tasting menus and will have 30 covers on the ground floor, with 20 more in a first-floor bar.
To the rear, a new 150-cover conference and wedding venue is being built as a reconstruction of the original monks' cloister.
Purnell said: "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."
Purnell and HCT founder Ian Harrabin have worked together with Birmingham-based architectural firm BPN on the plans, which were announced at property show MIPIM this week.
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.
He said: "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. This builds on a recent boom in new quality restaurants coming into the city centre.
"Glynn has a national reputation built on the highest standard of cuisine and is hugely respected in the industry. To be chosen as the place to open his first operation outside Birmingham is a recognition of the huge changes in Coventry."
Purnell owns two establishments in Birmingham: Purnell's restaurant on Cornwall Street, which opened in July 2007 and was awarded a Michelin star in 2009; and Purnell's Bistro & Ginger's Bar on Newhall Street, which opened in September 2012.
Photo: Purnell (left) with Harrabin at the Charterhouse
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