Bosses of a town centre wine bar have announced plans to expand by rolling out a new deli.

The Grapevine in Tenterden took over the former Savannah’s coffee shop site in September 2024.

Having gone from strength to strength, the team is now looking to bump up their offerings by opening a deli above the bar.

This comes after former tenants Petzone closed their doors for the final time in April after six years on the high street.

Within two weeks, the unit has been transformed with rustic shelving, furniture, fridges, and freezers all installed.

Oliver Kinsley, who co-owns the site with business partner Peter Ockleden, said now was the right time to expand.

Speaking to KentOnline, he said: “Well, we were offered the upstairs premise as the lease was coming to an end for the pet shop, and it didn’t require too much thinking for us to decide to take it over.

“Not only can we benefit from more of a high street presence, but we can really benefit in both locations regarding our food offering.

“With the converted kitchen, we now have the infrastructure to offer a vast range of foods and even go into a tapas-inspired offering.

“We offer some very delicious cheese and charcuterie options, and a lot of people tend to ask where we get it from.

“Well, now we can send them upstairs and they can buy a wheel to take home.”

The pair remain hopeful the new deli will be open by the end of the week.

It is set to be open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week.

Mr Kinsley added how they hoped to offer something different to what’s already available in the town.

“The reception has been really supportive.

“The weekends have been very busy and have really brought a great atmosphere,” the 24-year-old said.

“There are two huge supermarkets in Tenterden, and we want to offer something more focused on supporting local suppliers, such as honey, cheese, wines, and even English pasta.”

The Grapevine in Tenterden was the company's second venue, adding to their other site in Rye, which has been open since 2015.

Mr Kinsley, who first managed the East Sussex bar in 2019, left the bistro during the pandemic to set up a digital marketing company.

After the former Open University student then “got very lucky” with the business, he decided to purchase The Grapevine, having found a business partner in 54-year-old Peter Ockenden.

The pair previously said that the £80,000 transformation of the Tenterden site—now boasting an art nouveau interior and distinctive red lighting—had made it unrecognisable from its former identity as Savannah’s Coffee Shop, which it had been for the past 14 years.

The promise of live music remains, with The Grapevine still hosting five jazz acts each week.

Recently, a new rival opened its doors in Tenterden, with Loungers adding their fifth Kent venue to the town in January.

With both businesses now having found their feet, does Mr Kinsley feel the town now boasts more competition?

“I think the companies work very well off each other.

“It’s brought more people up this side of the high street, and people going in there for a bite to eat tend to come into us before or after dinner as well for a drink.”