A POPULAR cheese and wine bar is opening its fourth venue in Verwood in the New Year.

Renoufs already has three bars – its first one opened in Westbourne in May 2015, which was followed by a second bar in Wimborne in 2017 and a third in Southbourne this year.

Owner Trevor Ayling said despite trying to keep the Verwood venue under wraps, word about the new bar was already spreading.

It is due to open in the former Barclays bank building in Ringwood Road at the beginning of January.

Work to renovate the building inside and out is already under way.

Trevor said: “It will be a replica of the Renoufs in Westbourne – small, intimate and a cosy ambience.

“We’ve been looking at Verwood for the last year. We loved this venue and the quirkiness of the location. We considered opening in Ringwood, which has a great, diverse collection of venues, but the Verwood site just felt right for us.”

Renoufs, which prides itself on serving a selection of over 200 local and international wines, as well as cheese and charcuterie, has won a number of awards for its dining experience.

Trevor said the Verwood bar would accommodate around 40 people, with 10 members of staff employed initially.

“Renoufs is for locals who want to go out somewhere quite relaxed,” he said.

“I’m passionate about customers having a great time. Renoufs has a reputation for great customer service and food and wine of a good standard. We want to keep as many of our products local, and one of our wines is sourced from Lytchett Matravers.”

He added his ambition for Renoufs did not stop at Verwood, and more venues could be opening elsewhere in Dorset in future.