A former hotelier and gastro-pub owner is joining the burgeoning Brighton burger scene with a new restaurant.

Andrew Coggings, former owner of award-winning Preston Park Tavern, has bought the lease of the 50-cover Blenio Bistro in Seven Dials.

Sustainable venture Coggings and Co is set to open by mid-April and will serve locally-sourced gastro grub alongside beer, lager, soft drinks and wine, mostly from Sussex.

Experienced caterer Mr Coggings is joining a busy burger market, with the likes of MEAT Liquor, Burger Brothers and The Troll’s Pantry proving a hit with younger diners.

But the former Grand Hotel general manager is convinced the level of service will make for a finer dining experience.

He said: “We’re approaching it from a completely different angle and trying to raise the bar.

“A lot of people have said it’s a competitive market but from my point of view, if someone opens a new hotel, you wouldn’t say ‘we’ve already got hundreds of hotels’.

“We’re trying to offer a level of service that you don’t get elsewhere.”

The Preston Park Tavern, voted the most sustainable pub in The UK by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, was sold earlier this year after nearly eight years of ownership.

The new venture will involve many of the same staff and suppliers, with a heavy slant on sustainability and locality, going beyond the usual platitudes.

He will be joined by head chef Sean Kelly and assistant managers Rachael Murray and Kelly de Silva.

As much of the refurbishment as possible will be done by Brighton and Hove craftsmen, with beer from Horsham’s Hepworth and Co Brewers and all wine English, organic or biodynamic.

Restaurant tables will be made out of recycled pine by The Brighton Woodstore and all the painting and decorating is being done by eco painters Pure Decoration.

Artwork will all be local photographs by Heather Buckley and even the napkins will be made from recycled paper.

Coggings & Co will be open seven days a week, from midday to 11pm Mondays to Saturdays and from 7pm on Sundays.