A popular wine bar in Upton-Upon-Severn has re-opened following a brief closure.

The Old Butcher Shop Wine Bar in High Street closed on New Year’s Day for what was described as “a brief winter break” on the bar’s website but re-opened on March 1 under new management.

Running the bar has been taken over by John Millichip, who said: “I have been an estate agent for most of my working life but worked at the wine bar when it was originally open.

“I saw that the bar had closed down and wondered if there was an opening to take over the running of it. I got in touch with the owner and asked if there was an opportunity to take it over and he said yes so we decided to re-open.

“We want this place to be unlike anything else in the area, it is a really attractive little place and we want to do something different. It is a delicate balance of getting top quality but also keeping prices low.

“We are hoping to build a wine-list with some top quality wines from all over the world and we want it to have all the usual suspects on it.

“This is not a pub but more of a cafe bar. Enjoy this beautiful river-side town and especially the many music festivals held here throughout the year. Folk in May, Jazz in June, Blues in July, the Sunshine music festival later in the summer.”

The bar is being opened to be an alternative to pubs and offer Upton residents something different. Mr Millichip said this is something they are keen to promote.

He said: “The truth is there are lots of people who are not really pub goers but would come to somewhere like this as it is slightly different. There is definitely a big market for a more wine bar type place in Upton so we are delighted to be getting started with running the Old Butcher Shop.”

Mr Millichip, 70, has been an estate agent for 50 years, as well as becoming an actor five years ago and appearing on both stage and screen.

He also paid tribute to his new cocktail barman Theo Christopolous, saying: “He has worked in bars in Greece before and is eager to gain experience here.

“We will be bringing people coffee and cakes in the mornings, light lunches, fabulous and well-priced wines from around the World, a great selection of gins and of course Theo's brilliant cocktails."