ONE of the country’s most recognizable and best-known chefs is to open a new restaurant in Salisbury.

Called The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, the 80-cover restaurant will be located at The Stones Hotel and will start to welcome customers towards the end of the summer.

Replacing the hotel’s on-site restaurant, the move to open one of the famed chef’s steakhouses follows a deal between Black and White Hospitality, which owns the franchise rights to eight of Pierre White’s restaurant concepts, and David Matton who took ownership of the venue in May 2013.

David said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have someone of Marco’s calibre open one of his restaurants here at The Stones Hotel. This is great news for both the hotel and area.

“It’s a hugely exciting addition that will, we believe, offer a first-class dining experience and is perfect for the stunning location of the hotel.

“The Army relocating programme has resulted in an influx of forces families to the area while redevelopment and new housing has also increased the city’s population so we’re expecting the new restaurant to prove popular with those who live locally. The new restaurant will also prove attractive to tourists visiting Stonehenge which is close-by plus business travellers which forms a high proportion of our weekday customers.

“The arrival of the steakhouse will also raise the bar in terms of what people can come to expect at restaurants in the city and we’ll look forward to welcoming guests when it opens.”

The restaurant’s dining experience will include signature steaks, and timeless English and French classics.

The menu, which is developed by Marco himself, includes a mix of childhood favourites and modern-day classics and brings to life Marco’s own philosophy of what he describes as ‘affordable glamour’.

The restaurant will also serve a range of cocktails matched to the venue’s countryside location.

Nick Taplin, Chairman and CEO of Black and White Hospitality added: “This is fantastic news for Salisbury. The Steakhouse fits perfectly with the four-star environment of The Stones Hotel’s customer base and we’re hugely excited to work alongside David and his team to get this new venue open as soon as possible.”

The venue will open later in the year.