Miros in St Owen Street in Hereford reopens with new owner

James Watkins, who works for the Football Association and has other business ventures, reopened the revamped premises of Miro, in St Owen's Street yesterday (November 2).

Mr Watkins said he had been a regular customer at Miros for more than 10 years and decided to take over after learning the leasehold was up for sale.

Since acquiring the site, he has assembled a new team, including experienced chefs, baristas and mixologists, as part of plans to offer a more varied food and drink experience.

The venue will operate daily as a café from 7am until 4pm. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings it will reopen as a restaurant and cocktail bar, with tapas, cocktails and beers on offer on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mr Watkins also hopes to establish the venue as a destination for events and said bookings have already been made.

"We're just really trying to raise the bar a little bit around food, around drink, the quality of cocktails.

"So I've surrounded myself with some really, really experienced people, whether it's mixologists, chefs, head chefs, baristas, I've got what I believe is a brilliant team. And we're just going to have a good go at it."

Ahead of the opening, Mr Watkins oversaw an extensive refurbishment of the property. The building has been stripped back and fitted with a new bar, electrics, plumbing and toilets, as well as new signage and decorations. The outdoor terrace has also been upgraded and a new outdoor bar installed.

"We want it being a high-quality coffee shop/restaurant during the day, and then a really lovely venue at night," he said.

"I don't think there's too many in Hereford where if you're post-25 you can go and enjoy a nice drink and it has good music and a lovely atmosphere."

He added that he had received significant support from the previous owner, who ran the business for 15 years and has helped smooth the transition in the lead-up to opening.