The new owners of Honiton Wine Bar have been revealed - and they may be familiar faces to customers of the popular eatery.
Husband and wife duo Peter and Lisa Beigan have taken the helm at the popular High Street bistro, officially taking charge at a packed open evening last Friday (November 23).
The couple collectively worked at Honiton Wine Bar for more than ten years, with Peter in charge of the restaurant’s kitchen for seven and Lisa manning the bar and waitressing for five.
Now, the couple, who met while both working at the Sidmouth Arms in 1998, have made the big leap and taken on the ownership of the cosy venue.
Lisa, who was a former partner of Little Treaures Pre-school in Gittisham, said: “We got to the stage where we decided we needed to work together again.
“We have four children and our 16 and 18-year-olds are doing the same kind of work. We realised that we have got exactly what we need for a family business, and decided now is the time.”
The couple sparked their search for a restaurant in summer, but snapped up the wine bar after its previous owner, Carol Sumner, hinted that she was ready to retire and pass on the reins.
Peter, who first started working at Honiton Wine Bar in 1998, said: “We were looking at a couple of other venues but decided this was the one because we worked here for a long time and had lots of happy memories.”
Lisa added: “It was really funny standing behind the bar on Friday and seeing locals who used to be here when I was waitressing.”
Despite only re-opening last Friday, the couple are already ringing in the changes - introducing a breakfast menu and operating under new hours of 9am to 3pm and 5.30pm to 11pm.
Plans are also underway for a refurbishment and grand relaunch in the new year.
Lisa said: “Peter has gone back to a more traditional menu, using locally-sourced ingredients.
“We are looking to expand so we can seat around 42 people.
“We always dreamed of owning this place and we knew we were going to have a restaurant at some point in our lives. Carol has been so supportive and still is - I think she was pleased the restaurant was coming to people who would love it as much as she did.
“January is our relaunch time - a new menu and a new outlook.
“I want to re-establish its wine bar status.”
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