A COMBINED pub, bar and cafe business is opening its first venue in Salisbury.

Hettie Bells, a new all-day food and drink concept, will replace the former Railway Tavern, next to Salisbury Railway Station.

Its founder, James England, has partnered with Chickpea Group for the venture.

The venue will open daily from 7am, serving locally roasted coffee from Semley, freshly baked pastries, and bacon baps – all to eat in the cafe or to take straight to the train platform.

Guests will be able to keep track of their train times from the comfort of the cafe. 

Read more: ​Councillor Sven Hocking elected as Salisbury mayor

Hettie Bells bar will open from 11am, serving a selection of cask ales, local lagers, good wine, and carefully-selected cocktails.

The food served will be a smash burger menu made using ingredients from local suppliers to procure sustainably reared meats. It will be available to eat in, to takeaway or delivered via Deliveroo.

Salisbury Journal: Railway Tavern has been transformed into a combined cafe and bar named Hettie Bells.Railway Tavern has been transformed into a combined cafe and bar named Hettie Bells. (Image: Newsquest)

Hettie Bells, named after Mr England's daughters Henrietta and Arabella, is an attempt at creating a concept "that works well in the current climate".

Mr England added: "I’m really excited to launch Hettie Bells in my hometown of Salisbury.

"I’ve lived here for 15 years and so it felt only natural that our first spot for this new concept was in the place I call home."

The site is blessed with two bars and separate seating areas and a generous outside space with views of Salisbury Cathedral.

Work on the space has been focused throughout the entire site with the installation of a new kitchen, a café area and landscaping works to the rear.

There is also a large outside function space, which will open in winter 2024.

See more: ​Rude Giant: The Royal Oak pub reopens under new ownership

A petanque piste has been installed, lending itself to long summer evenings playing boules with friends over a pint or two.

Finishing touches are underway and Hettie bells is expected to open in June.

Mr England comes from a family of publicans and has worked with Chickpea Group across the business for the last two years. Before launching Hettie Bells, he ran an ecommerce business.

The Chickpea Group, which is also involved with the Rude Giant Brewing Company, owns a handful of pubs with rooms and pizza shops across Wiltshire.