Locals and visitors to Bembridge have been delighted to discover the new look of their old pub, which has been transformed this year by new owner Mark Holmes and his family.
Re-named The Birdham, the beautifully restored Edwardian Inn now boasts not just upgraded restaurant and dining, but also a series of luxurious public and guest rooms.
The Holmeses – who also own The Chequers Inn at Rookley, The White Lion, Niton and Long Island in Newport – have brought this solid experience in the hospitality sector to bear on the new venue in Bembridge and say they’re excited about this latest new venture.
With 14 en-suite guestrooms, a civil ceremony license and multiple function rooms, this will be their largest and most versatile pub to date. Their restoration project has managed to retain all the Edwardian period charm of the building, and yet combine that with the latest in 21st century facilities, from in-room tech to premium linen and toiletries.
Meanwhile, The Birdham’s kitchen team is led by head chef Liam Frisby and overseen by executive chef Steve Harris. Between them, they have decades worth of experience, and say they have a shared vision of “serving high-quality dishes in a relaxed and atmospheric setting”.
The chefs select the best of local produce and go for seasonal freshness to create their menus. Across all their establishments, the Holmes ethos is that local producers and suppliers go hand in hand with a great kitchen team, which is why their menus are constantly evolving to reflect the seasons. The Birdham will follow suit with this approach, and is proud to support local suppliers.
The chefs have already re-introduced the venue’s perennially popular Sunday carvery, and have some exciting new menu ideas for the festive season.
If you haven’t checked out the new look yet, it’s definitely worth a drop in, whether for a relaxing beer or coffee, a light lunch or a celebration dinner – or to check out the lovely function rooms for your next family celebration.
Find The Birdham at 1 Steyne Road, Bembridge, PO35 5UH. Telephone: 01983 872840. Website: www.thebirdhambembridge.co.uk