Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd has unveiled £1 million expansion plans to launch a cocktail bar and holiday accommodation in Lichfield.
The Upstairs by Tom Shepherd owner is in the process of acquiring his father’s jewellery shop beneath the award-winning restaurant with plans to transform it into a drinks-led venue.
Around £350,000 will be invested into converting the Bore Street venue into a competitively-priced champagne and cocktail bar open to both diners and the wider public.
A further £750,000 has been spent purchasing and converting a former Citizens Advice office in the city centre into four one-bedroom holiday townhouses.
Tom exclusively told Daily Focus: “We want to extend and evolve the experience of the diner with a pre or post meal drink or a stay, or both. After four-and-a-half years we are on the verge of opening our rooms and hopefully we are going to start work on the drinks-led venue at the back end of this year with an early spring opening next year.”
The cottages are being fitted out now with the first guests set to be welcomed in early June.
Each include a kitchenette, lounge and an open plan vaulted ceiling bedroom with walk-in shower. Herbs grown in a communal garden at the back of the properties will be used in the 36-cover restaurant.
Fine dining restaurant Upstairs had only been open four months when it became the first in Staffordshire to receive a Michelin Star in 2022. The Michelin Star has been retained every year since, and other prestigious accolades including three AA Rosettes have followed.
Tom told Daily Focus in July 2024 that he had aspirations of a second venue, but held out for the right opportunity.
His dad, third generation jeweller Paul Shepherd, retired earlier this month after almost 50 years in the trade, 28 of them in Lichfield.
Paul’s business, City Jewellers, was originally based on Market Street before moving to Bore Street and Tom’s restaurant was previously the shop’s office and storage space.
Upstairs now employs 30 people and another 10 jobs are expected to be created by the drinks-led venue.
The unit is set to be stripped back to brick with renovations including a showcase staircase and the creation of a staff welfare area.
Tom said: “We want to open the new place up to everyone whether they are our guests, dining at another restaurant or looking for a drink on the way home. We will be showcasing the best in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
“There is a real opportunity to promote from within our restaurant team but we will be looking for mixologists, bartenders, wine sommeliers and delivery people.”
Away from Lichfield, Tom’s success is continuing with his third Royal Ascot residency in June, further collaborations with Aston Villa FC and he has just filmed his latest appearance on James Martin’s Saturday Morning cookery show, due to air on ITV on 16 May.
Tom added: “My dad did incredibly well in his career. He got everything and more that he set out for and I wish to continue that family legacy albeit in a different trade.
“We were a family from Sutton Coldfield and had no ties to Lichfield until 28 years ago when my grandad opened the original City Jewellers. The whole family lives in Staffordshire now and to make history in the county is so important to us.
“There was no plan for my dad to retire when I began looking to expand, but it has worked out perfectly.”
