Team behind Birmingham's former Opus restaurant back with new venue

The team behind a popular restaurant in the heart of Birmingham's business district which closed earlier this year is launching a new venue.

Opus in Cornwall Street announced in May that it was not reopening in line with the easing of government restrictions and instead administrators were appointed to the venue which had traded for more than 15 years.

Now directors Ann Tonks and Irene Allan and chef director Ben Ternent have signed a deal to open 'Chapter' at 5-6 Greenfield Crescent on the Calthorpe Estate, in Edgbaston.

Joining Mr Ternent will be head chef Nathan Swift and the pair is planning to recruit apprentices to work in the kitchen.

It signals a fresh start for the company which also closed down its Bar Opus at One Snowhill a year ago at the height of the global pandemic after failing to agree a lease deal with its landlord.

The new venture is being made possible thanks to a diverse range of funding including shareholder investment and club membership opportunities which the team said a number of people had already taken up.

Ms Tonks said: "We are so excited to have been presented with this opportunity by Calthorpe Estates to bring a new independent bar and restaurant to Edgbaston Village's thriving neighbourhood.

"After the heartbreak of losing our long-established restaurant earlier in the year, Calthorpe reached out to give us a new lease of life.

"We're starting this new chapter from scratch and have already had a huge amount of love from our community.

"This has given us confidence that our vision is something that the city wants - the interest in our club membership has been fantastic so far. We can hardly wait to start welcoming guests."

CGI of Chapter which will open on the Calthorpe Estate in Edgbaston later this year (Handout)

Haydn Cooper, chief executive of landowner Calthorpe Estates, added: "We are delighted that the renowned Chapter team have chosen Edgbaston Village for a new restaurant.

"They will be a fantastic addition to Edgbaston and Birmingham's gastro scene."

Jewellery Quarter-based Suzanne Barnes Design Partnership is leading the interior design work of the venue which is due to open in December.