A NEW venue inspired by the cocktail bars of Chiang Mai in Thailand is set to come to the heart of Poole.

Nusara Thai has announced that it is taking over the Grade II listed former Royal Navy command headquarters building in Old Town.

The development of the site will involve an investment leading to a cocktail bar, 80-cover heated alfresco patio and a vaulted wine cellar.

The kitchen will focus on the business's existing credentials of creative Thai food cooked by world class chefs, with new head chefs Thammanoon Thurasan and Nusara Padungwong set to join back up.

The venue, which comes off the back of BCP Council's plans to regenerate Poole, will also offer a series of live jazz and blues events across the summer and winter on the terrace and in the wine vaults during the winter.

Nusara forms part of the Fired Up Hospitality – a business founded last year, which manages Zim Braai, Nusara and Old Thatch brands which is looking to expand its offering into different areas of the hospitality sector.

It aims to continue to develop and grow its current brands as well as adding new own brands to the group whilst taking positions in independents and helping them grow.

Andy Lennox, managing director of Fired Up Hospitality, said: “It’s been an incredibly tough year for the industry and our teams and as we look to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic it’s now time to look to the future.

"With BCP Council’s pledge to invest heavily into Poole we now feel the time is ripe to invest into an iconic building with years of history which has sadly laid empty for many years. The regeneration of Poole starts now."

As reported, Nusara launched in Christchurch when it opened in a site in Castle Street late last year.