A SLICE of 'affordable luxury' is promised at a venue opening tomorrow (Friday, August 11) in a derelict pub.

Nick James and his family are throwing open the doors to The Sheep & Penguin hospitality in the heart of Wells.

Situated on Tucker Street, The Sheep & Penguin occupies premises that have been home to a public house for over a century.

Formerly The Mermaid, the pub has been derelict for 10 years, and following several years of meticulous renovation from the James family, it now has a new lease of life.

Born from owner Nick's passion for classic British pubs, The Sheep & Penguin is the second venue for the family, who own the much The Queens, in Chew Magna, and will be a destination promising a bit of everything for everyone.

The venue boasts seven tastefully decorated rooms and four mews houses, perfect for an overnight stay in the cathedral city, and will have a strong focus on seasonal, locally sourced food, real ales, cocktails.

It promises to be a community pub, bringing quality, affordability and great service.

The menu has been created by head chef Andy Scarott, who has worked at the critically acclaimed The Gannet in Glasgow.

As well as pub classics, the menu includes global influences and uses seasonal produce from local suppliers, including meat from the local butcher and fish landed in Brixham.

The drinks menu includes a range of locally sourced beers and real ales, as well as a carefully curated wine and cocktail menu, created by general manager Jan Forster, who was previously bar manager at The Pig, near Bath.

Nick said: "We acquired the site for The Sheep & Penguin well before lockdown, and have spent years meticulously renovating this historic pub back to its former glory, and we can’t wait to bring a real community hub with great food, beers and service to Wells.

"We really wanted to stay true to the pub’s history and retain as much of that ‘proper pub’ feel as possible, and are so excited to share it with the locals and visitors to this wonderful corner of Somerset.”

The Sheep & Penguin offers accommodation in seven boutique guest rooms and four mews houses.

The pub's name pays homage to the Falkland Islands Agency next door.

The Sheep & Penguin will open to the public tomorrow from 5pm for drinks and complimentary canapés and Saturday and Sunday (August 12 and 13) for lunch and dinner 12noon-2.30pm and 6-9pm.