Welsh restaurant The Crown at Whitebrook set to re-open under new chef-patron

Welsh restaurant The Crown at Whitebrook is set to re-open after being bought by a fine-dining chef.

As chef-patron, Raymond Blanc-trained Chris Harrod plans to re-open the formerly-Michelin-starred Monmouthshire site in October, with a new 12-strong kitchen team.

Previously one of only four Welsh restaurants with a star, The Crown had been forced to close after its previous owners Crown Hotels and Restaurants Ltd went into administration in March, citing cash flow issues.

Before it closed the restaurant-with-rooms had held its star since 2007, the longest of any establishment in Wales, held three AA rosettes and had been mentioned in The Sunday Times Food List 2012. A spokesperson said the closure had been "very sad".

Now Harrod has said he is keen to regain the star and is already taking bookings from October onwards.

Michelin-starred Crown at Whitebrook closes due to poor trading >>