THE company behind Bournemouth’s Urban Reef and Urban Beach venues is to open a restaurant “nestled in the trees” above the town’s Lower Gardens later this month.

Operator Urban Guild says it is selling its Jenkins & Sons bar and restaurant at Penn Hill in order to focus on the new venue, Urban Garden.

Urban Garden will occupy the ground floor of Bourne Park – formerly the Lampeter, Whitehall and Arlington hotels – overlooking the gardens.

Diners will sit on several levels of terraces and balconies.

Urban Guild says it will be “nestled in the trees” and offer “stunning panoramic views”.

It plans to open the venue on May 17.

Manager Dave King said: “We are really excited to welcome locals and visitors to our new green space in town.

“I’ve worked for several independent venues in the South West and I’m super-excited about joining the Urban Guild to run this one in such unique location amongst the trees.”

At the same time as launching the new venue, Urban Guild will sell Jenkins & Sons, the Penn Hill venue which has been part of the group for six years.

It will be run by Ben Paulley, brother-in-law of Urban Guild’s founding director, Mark Cribb.

It said Mr Paulley was keen to keep true to the butchers’ and fishmongers’ roots of the Jenkins family which gives the venue its name. It said he is also passionate about craft beer.

Mark Cribb said: “we have a huge opportunity to open this showcase venue in the heart of Bournemouth, something I’ve always wanted to do, and in transferring Jenkins & Sons to Ben, we know it will be in safe and loving hands.

“We’ll then be able as a group to focus on making Urban Garden the best is can be as an independent venue in town, true to our values and love of hugs.”

Jenkins & Sons will transfer to its new owners on June 1, the company said.

Urban Guild began when Mr Cribb and wife Fee created Urban Beach, a boutique hotel which replaced a traditional bed and breakfast in Boscombe.

Mr Cribb recently became the host of a podcast, Humans of Hospitality, showcasing the work of independents in the sector.