AN ISLE of Wight couple has launched a new bar and burger lounge in Shanklin, with a local twist to the menu names.

Jennie Cooper and her husband Steve have plenty of experience in the hospitality industry.

The pair, who moved to the Island at the beginning of August, are former pub managers.

Their initial thought was to slow down after successfully running pubs for many years, but a little bar caught their eye.

“Steve turned 60 this year and wanted to have a slower pace of life, but at 50, I wasn’t quite ready to slow down and found it hard to settle into a job I could enjoy,” said Jennie, who moved back to the Island to live closer to her father, who runs Victoria Antiques in Shanklin

“I had my eye on this little bar from the first day we got here, and I couldn’t quite get the idea out of my head.

(Image: Contributed.) “We did look at other pubs available on the Island, but they were all freehold and financially out of reach for us. 

“Steve was sold on the idea once we discussed the possibility of him being able to use his creative flair in the kitchen.

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“He’s looking forward to sharing his homemade gourmet burger recipes with the locals.”

The pair have called their new venture Bonnygoo Bar and Burger Lounge; Bonnygoo meaning lively and spirited, which Jennie says she hopes the venue will be.

(Image: Contributed.) Every offering on the menu is named after a local word or place.

“Within a matter of weeks of making the decision, we took the property on at the top of Shanklin High Street and have set about planning a focused community bar and burger lounge,” said Jennie.

“We want to be a regular live music venue for people like ourselves who like to go out earlier in the evening and get home at a reasonable time.

“Most of our music on Fridays and Saturdays will be between 6.30am and 8.30pm, so people can pop in after work or come out early, then either finish their evening here or hopefully go on to another local pub.

(Image: Contributed.) “We will also be hosting a guitar club every Wednesday evening, run by Pete Clarke, occasional karaoke nights, and we may even look at running bingo and quiz nights as well.”

Jennie and Steve’s High Street venue opens midday on Friday, November 1, and will feature live music across the opening weekend.