New restaurant set to launch at historic Staffordshire hall following £175K investment 

A new restaurant is set to open at a historic Staffordshire hall after a businessman stumbled across the opportunity by chance. 

Jamie Bennett visited Wychnor Park Country Club, a Grade II-listed building between Lichfield and Burton upon Trent, while looking for accommodation for a group of international students. On discovering that the restaurant at the hotel, which is owned by Hilton Grand Vacations, had been closed since the Covid pandemic, Jamie and wife Sara decided to take on the challenge themselves. 

Now the couple, who live in Lichfield, are preparing to launch high-end gastro-style restaurant Somervills at Wychnor. The bar and lounge area already open, with the main restaurant due to open on 20 June, with a special ‘Taste of Wychnor’ five-course tasting menu event. 

Jamie, who was previously the owner and chairman of Nottinghamshire non-league football club Eastwood CFC, said: “I was looking for accommodation for 20 to 25 international students and found Wychnor Park, but I didn’t know how we would feed them. 

“It seemed like a great opportunity and before I knew it we had decided to open a bar and restaurant in this beautiful venue.” 

Jamie and Sara, who has a family-run domiciliary care business in Lichfield called Executive Carers, have invested £175,000 in the new venture. They have also recruited head chef Andy Ellis, former Executive Chef at the JCB Golf and Country Club, to lead the kitchen. 

Future plans include a calendar of themed events, such as Halloween, Oktoberfest, Bridgerton-style evenings, afternoon teas and live music. The couple also plan to partner with neighbouring charity Kids’ Village to raise funds through events and initiatives. 

Jamie said: “This isn’t pub food and it’s not fine dining either. We’re aiming for something in the middle – a high-end gastro pub style offering using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. Traceability and quality really matter to us. We want it to be special, but also affordable – around £45 per head including drinks.” 

The couple hopes Somervills – named in tribute to the first family to live in the hall – will become known as a destination venue, attracting not only hotel guests but also local diners looking for somewhere new. 

Jamie added: “It feels off the beaten track, yet it’s only two-and-a-half miles from the A38. It really does make people say ‘wow’ when they arrive. 

“It’s been a real learning curve but we are excited about it. We think Somervills can really make its mark on the Lichfield dining scene within the next six to 12 months.” 

The fully refurbished lounge and bar area is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 10pm, with last food orders at 8.30pm. Visit their Facebook page for more information about the launch.