The former head chef at Northeast regional powerhouse Winteringham Fields is to launch his first restaurant in the Lincolnshire market town of Louth next month.

Gareth Bartram and his wife Lucy have taken over the Auction House restaurant in Louth’s Cornmarket, whose previous owners shut up shop last May after four years, citing ill health and the cost-of-living crisis.

Grimsby-born Gareth has spent the last nine years – six as head chef – at Winteringham Fields, established on the south bank of the Humber estuary by legendary Swiss chef Germain Schwab in 1988.

The Bartrams are leaving much of the Auction House’s distinctive interior untouched, including its panelled ceiling, and aim to provide a special experience without being off-puttingly expensive.

Gareth said: “We’ve been looking at premises for the past 18 months, we wanted to take our time and find the right place. Then we stumbled upon the Auction House and it was a great building with such character – it was perfect.

“We want to offer relaxing and comfortable dining with a great atmosphere and nice music that will allow people to have great conversation, as well as fine dining.”

Gareth says he “loved every minute” of his time at Winteringham Fields, and paid tribute to the mentorship and support he had from its owner, Colin McGurran.