A new wine bar is to open in the shadow of York Minster.
22 Yards Wine Bar & Merchants is due to open in late May at 21, High Petergate – formerly the home of Café Concerto.
Richard Townsley, one of the owners, told YorkMix: “22 Yards will be an independent hybrid model of wine bar and off-premise merchants.
“We plan to serve the best quality artisan produced charcuterie, cheeses and delicacies from the sea alongside an ever-changing, eclectic, exciting and accessible wine list (many by the glass) including high-end lines and Champagnes.”
Work is underway to completely renovate the unit, empty since Cafe Concerto closed at the start of lockdown and never reopened.
Making the most of the elegant Georgian building, the styling will be modern with a nod to the building’s history.
During the renovation, beautiful 250 year old beams were discovered which had been boxed in and covered up for years. These and have now been incorporated into the design.
The concept for 22 Yards Wine was conceived at a chance meeting when the owners were watching a local cricket match.
When they inspected the building it was discovered that the serving area is 22 yards long – the length of a cricket pitch – and the name was born.
They plan to work alongside local food producers and hand-pick the extensive wine portfolio. “It will be a fully seated space with table service only, making it somewhere people can meet and chat and relax,” Richard said, adding:
The whole concept of the business is designed for the customer to relax in an unstuffy environment, drink some great wines, eat delicious food and leave having enjoyed a memorable time, and to hopefully return and tell their friends.
This will be a business for locals as well as York’s visitors. Wine is available to take home and buy online with local delivery.
There will also be some really interesting, fun events and also a monthly wine club.
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The company is looking to employ 15 new members of staff, with some key roles already filled.
They are inviting people to send them their CVs for the roles of “front of house and kitchen staff who enjoy hospitality and want to be part of this exciting new venture”.
Get in touch at [email protected]