A toast is set to be raised to welcome a new wine bar that is opening in Mansfield town centre.

Saints Lounge and Bar, in Church Street, will open on Friday under the ownership of Nottingham-based Gareth Gordon.

Gareth has previously run venues in his home city but wanted to open premises in Mansfield.

He said: “I have been here a lot of times and my brother used to live in Mansfield – I know what a great town it is.

“The people are friendly, and helpful too. We have been helped a lot by the team at the Mansfield Business Improvement District (BID) in particular.”

And he added: “I had my eye on the place for some time. We have carried out some refurbishment and we hope to put on food at a later date.”

The venue will employ around four members of staff.

The opening of the wine bar follows the recent opening of TJ’s BBQ & Chippy, also in Church Street.

Owner Anthony Baker said: “We have been able to build up a good reputation and now have a number of loyal regulars. This is a great part of the town to be in and the businesses here are like a community in their own right.”

And he added: “That the new wine bar will sell food is another great reason to come down Church Street. There’s a lot to offer people.”

Priding itself on homemade, TJ’s offer a mix of traditional chip shop items, but also BBQ favourites such as pulled pork, and will soon have chicken tikka wraps on the menu.

Mansfield BID manager Sarah Nelson, said: “This is a great new venture and will add something different to the town centre, which of course recently attained Purple Flag status for its evening economy.”