From Bar To Bistro In Derbyshire Village
Published On Saturday 26 Jan 2019 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
The owners of a village pub saved from redevelopment by a grassroots campaign are again ringing the changes and creating new jobs to boot.
The Angel in Spinkhill near Chesterfield was bought by Chris and Jean Norfolk in 2015 after community-minded residents fought off plans to turn the building into flats. Three years on and the couple have further invested in the business to cement its place at the heart of the rural community.
It opened its doors on Friday 25th January as Angel & Harlequin Bistro, a licensed kitchen open daily for breakfast through supper. The move has created new jobs in the kitchen, front of house and cleaning.
The venue in College Road has been closed to customers since Monday while refurbishment and staff training takes place. Work includes painting and decorating, new windows fitted to the front and bespoke ledges added above, installation of new signage, specially made furniture and a handcrafted wooden feature wall.
The relaunch has been marked by a limited edition pale ale called The Guardian, courtesy of Fuggle Bunny Brewhouse in nearby Holbrook. The ale will be available to guests from tomorrow, as well as freshly roasted coffee and cakes and treats made daily by the in-house pastry chef.
Award-winning chef proprietor Chris, also of The Elm Tree at Elmton, has developed bistro-style menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch and supper, staying true to his principles of using quality ingredients and seasonal, locally sourced produce.
A new stone baked pizza oven will be fired up daily from 12 midday and fresh pizza will also be available to takeaway. The new menus ensure that diners with special dietary requirements including gluten free will be well catered for.
The hard-working couple, who have two daughters, aged six and three, hope the community will once again show their support for the local landmark, parts of which date back to the 1850s.
Chris said: “Pubs, like any business, have to adapt to what customers want in order to stay relevant and be successful. We invested heavily in The Angel when we bought it and we are investing again now because we are committed to it. Historically, The Angel has been a community linchpin and our hope is that Angel & Harlequin Bistro will pick up that baton.”
Angel & Harlequin Bistro will be open daily from 9:00 am. The venue offers free customer parking and WiFi. Well-behaved dogs will be welcome in parts of the bistro and dog-friendly tables can be booked to avoid disappointment.
| Culinary Favourite Announces New Name, Refurbishment and Relaunch Event Giorgio’s, a much-loved Chesterfield restaurant, is stepping into a new chapter with a refreshed look, rebrand, and relaunch celebration as il Forno. Read The Article | |
| The Countdown to a Culinary Extravaganza at Thoresby Park this September With less than four weeks to go before Thoresby Park opens its gates for another helping of the Festival of Food and Drink, it's time to grab your tickets Read The Article | |
| Pride Park restaurant named naan-stop busiest matchday spot for Rams fans A Pride Park restaurant has been crowned one of the busiest pre-match hotspots for Derby County fans, thanks to its prime location, outdoor space Read The Article | |
| Longbow Venues Will March 29km Across The Peak District To Raise Thousands For Children's Hospital On Tuesday 2 September, a dedicated team of 27 staff from Longbow Venues will set off on a 29-kilometre charity walk across Read The Article | |
| Farm-to-Fork Excellence Derbyshire's Walton Lodge Farm Achieves Red Tractor Certification Walton Lodge Farm Estate, the 360-acre working farm and historic 18th century family home of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel owner Read The Article | |
| Hart's Kitchen Welcomes a New Chapter in Dining with a Refreshed A La Carte Menu August 2025 - Hart's Hotel & Kitchen is delighted to introduce its new A la carte menu, crafted to celebrate the vibrant flavours of the season and the bounty Read The Article | |
| Popular fish and chip restaurant Darcy's opens on Sunday - and kids eat free! Derby's newest and largest fish and chip restaurant and takeaway is serving up great news - it's now open on Sundays when kids can eat for free. Read The Article | |
| Sunshine + Sweet Treats = Summer Surge At The Bakewell Tart Shop - Footfall Doubles Following its grand reopening in early July, The Bakewell Tart Shop has experienced a sharp spike in visitors - with warm, sunny weather Read The Article | |
| Double Shortlisting For Longbow Venues In 2025 Enterprising Women Awards Independent Peak District hospitality group Longbow Venues is celebrating a double shortlisting in the prestigious 2025 Enterprising Women Awards, with two Read The Article | |
| Peak Edge Hotel Unveils Immersive Wine Cellar Experience The Red Lion Restaurant at Peak Edge Hotel has unveiled a beautifully designed, temperature-controlled wine cellar - a bespoke feature by Sorrells, the luxury wine cellar Read The Article | |