Trillium Restaurant

Birmingham indie stalwart Phil Innes of Loki Wine fame has teamed up with chef Glynn Purnell to bring new culinary vibrancy to the Brum food and drink scene. Trillium opened during the festive period in the city centre’s Snow Hill and combines the wine nous of Innes and the cooking talents of a team that includes Purnell as chef patron and Rob Palmer as head chef, who was in charge at Hampton Manor when its Peel Restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. Creativity abounds on the menu – whether its Orkney scallops with oxtail bolognese or a peasant kiev, Palmer has been given a long leash to innovate. To no one’s surprise the wine list is top notch, with an expansive by-the-glass offer allowing patrons the opportunity to explore.

Birmingham nightlife closures spark fears of troubling trend

Birmingham’s nightlife scene is set to see several high profile venues close their doors in the space of one month in an ominous trend for the UK’s second city.

Vagabond announces suite of new senior appointments amid expansion drive

Four new senior appointments have been made by the Majestic-owned wine bar business Vagabond, including the hiring of Jack Merrylees as head of marketing and PR.

Purnell’s restaurant closes after 17 years amid wider Michelin-star closures

Glynn Purnell’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Purnell’s, has shut its doors after 17 years. The Birmingham-based restaurant served its final guests on 12 October, with Purnell citing economic challenges and pressures on the hospitality sector as key reasons for the closure.

Undercroft

Undercroft, a new restaurant from Birmingham-based chef Brad Carter and former music publisher Martin Priestnall, is due to open this summer in the crypt of St George’s Church in Mayfair. Bringing together art, design, music and food, Undercroft will offer an eclectic cocktail list alongside the classics. The wine list follows a similar style, providing a range of Champagne and fine wines as decadent pairings for Carter’s dishes.

Arc Inspirations secures financial backing for expansion

Leading bar and restaurant operator Arc Inspirations has signed an agreement with HSBC to borrow £5m, allowing the company to fulfil its plans for expansion and growth.

Spotlight on 2020: Sonal Clare, Purnell’s

As we prepare for the new decade, Harpers will be taking the month of December to look back over 2019 and ahead to what the coming year will bring – hopefully full of revived optimism for both politics and the trade.

Chakana heads to Birmingham

CHAKANA

Vinoteca heads to Birmingham

VINOTECA

Birmingham's oldest wine merchant adds wine bar

Q&A: Phil Innes, owner, Loki Wine

With two new openings planned this year (God of Mischief willing), Loki’s Phil Innes talks to Andrew Catchpole about business and why the indie scene is on a roll.