A FORMER chef of a three-Michelin Star restaurant is set to launch a new bistro as part of plans to revamp a run-down pub.

Military veteran and ex-chef of Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck Tony Beckett will open an eatery in vacant The George Inn.

Mr Beckett’s new bar and bistro, Urban Genie, is hoped to breathe new life into Andover, bringing “an innovative dining experience to the High Street”. 

Mr Beckett said: “I can’t deny that I’ve experienced a lot of challenges in bringing Urban Genie to Andover, but I’ve also had an overwhelming amount of support for this new venture.

"Andover is a wonderful town, with a close-knit community, and I hope everyone is as excited as I am to see this new venture thrive.”

The contemporary coffee shop, bar and bistro, which is expected to open in August, is to sell everything from breakfast, handcrafted cakes and hot drinks during the day, along with three-course meals in the evening. 

Having served in the military for over 20 years, Mr Beckett has catered functions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, as well as other members of the Royal Family.

Developers were given the go-ahead to transform The George Inn in April after owner’s Faucet Inn Limited said there had be no uptake of the pub in its current state.