Chester’s Oddfellows venue is back

May 31 2012

AN AIRCRAFT wing, a giant urban fox and a potting shed bar are just some of the highlights at one of Chester’s quirkiest venues following a relaunch.

Oddfellows in Bridge Street has reopened following a multi-million pound redevelopment which included creating 14 extra bedrooms in a rear annex, revamping its popular garden and a new restaurant concept.

Over the last six months builders and designers have been transforming the Georgian Grade II listed building.

The finished result features a replica of a Valkyrie bomber aircraft wing as a reception desk, vintage typewriters on the wall and 6ft tall woodland animals as murals in the bar.

A spokeswoman for Oddfellows said: "Oddfellows has always revelled in being quirky and unique and that ‘one off’-ness has been enhanced in the revamp.

"People who love Oddfellows will find new things to fall in love with and we hope that the new ‘secret garden’ and restaurant concept will draw new customers in."

A major change is the launch of Mediterranean-inspired restaurant ‘The Garden by Simon Radley’ made possible by a management agreement with The Chester Grosvenor where Mr Radley is based.

Food is served all day and into the evening with a la carte, sharing plate and ‘munch’ menus to choose from, including dishes such as broad bean and mint houmous, gazpacho and salt cod fritters with anchovy and lime.

Oddfellows’ popular outdoor space has been expanded and upgraded and now features open air and covered seating areas, comfy sofas and freestanding open fire places with 360-degree seating around them.

Picket fences, a potting shed and olive trees will all feature in the landscaped ‘secret garden’ which will be used year-round and includes secluded areas and private booths.