The group has acquired The Market Inn in Salisbury’s market square and will reopen the pub in March.
The pub, which dates back to 1904, will have 60 covers inside and a further 80 outside.
The menu will be overseen by executive chef Harry Russell, who has created a pared back offer of ‘classic pub bangers’ that will include handmade pies, which are made at group’s dedicated pie room in nearby Wilton; and fish and chips with curry sauce. There will also be a menu of hearty bar snacks, including scotch eggs; and Westcombe cheddar and cider rarebit.
Chickpea Group is owned and run by brother and sister Ethan and Jordan Davids, along with their friend Tommy Tullis. It operates a number of gastropubs in the south west, including The Silver Plough in Pitton; The Queen’s Head in Broad Chalke; The Bell & Crown in Zeals; The Grosvenor Arms in Hindon; The Pembroke Arms in Wilton; and The Dog & Gun, Netheravon.
It also has two pizzerias under the Nole brand - Nole on the Square in Sailsbury; and Nole in the Barn in Wilton.
The Market Inn will be located next to the group’s Nole on the Square, with customer be able to order a pizza from next door to take away and enjoy inside the pub.
"I've always loved the Market Inn. It's been on our hit list since we opened Nole on the Square so when the opportunity presented itself it was a no brainer,” says co-owner Ethan Davids.
“This is a slightly different model to the pub we are used to opening because most of our boozers are destination food spots in the countryside.
"We love taking a punt on opportunities - getting our hands on places that would otherwise be closed - and we hope a pared-back approach to our normal pub food offer will be well received."
