A NEW coffee shop opened in Wellington this week in the former Rule 7 bar and bistro premises in High Street.

It has been named the Coffee Cellar to reflect its below-ground location where owner Donna Munson ran her bar and bistro for more than 10 years.

Rule 7 closed when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020 and was only able to reopen for short periods as the Government’s lockdown rules were varied from time to time.

Donna told the Wellington Weekly this week: "Two years is a long time for any business to keep going without a proper income and added to that I have suffered serious illness which has set me back considerably.

"So, I decided on a change of business direction and with the help of friends I have managed to launch the new Coffee Cellar while keeping much of the ambience of the old Rule 7 which regular customers liked so much.

"Alongside the coffee, we also offer homemade cakes and savoury dishes, and there are healthy options including catering for those with allergy requirements.

"And customers can still choose from a selection of wines, alcohol, and non-alcohol refreshments as before."

Coffee for the new venture is being supplied by brother and sister team Jack and Ellie Slocombe, whose artisan coffee roasting business IMMIX, was a double gold star winner at last year’s Taste of the West awards.

The Coffee Cellar will initially be open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm but could extend the opening hours as the summer season draws nearer.

There are also plans once the new business becomes established for one-off events such as wine tasting and a pop-up restaurant.