AWARD-winning organic farmer Helen Browning is set to open a pop-up eatery at Old Town’s Bistro Les Chat at the end of this month.

The chief executive of the Soil Association, who already runs The Royal Oak in Bishopstone with partner Tim Finney, will launch Helen Browning’s Chop House at the Wood Street restaurant on March 30.

The Chop House will serve a range of beef, pork and lamb, all grown at Helen Browning’s Organic on Eastbrook Farm.

“We have a lot of customers coming in from Swindon and we thought we would take our food to them rather than them having to come to us,” said Tim, who got on board after being approached by Bistro Les Chats owners Phil Saunter and Shareen Campbell.

“It will be quite different from The Royal Oak, more urban. I don’t think taking the farm to Wood Street was the right way to go.

“The menu will be terribly simple: Helen Browning’s steaks, pulled pork, lamb chops, hot dogs with chips and salad. “ The Royal Oak’s head chef Paul Winch will take the helm at the new restaurant.

If the Chop House proves a success Tim and Helen will consider taking it on full-time.

“We are just doing it as a three-month trial to decide whether our concept and way of doing things would work in Swindon. We’ll have to see and decide whether to take it on properly.”

Bistro Les Chats had a rocky few months before the owners decided to call it a day in February.

Last September they announced their decision to shut the traditional French bistro to concentrate on their other restaurant, the thriving Los Gatos nearby.

But following a campaign by locals to ‘save’ their favourite eatery, they relaunched Les Chats as a contemporary European bistro.

But it closed in February when the new head chef and manager left unexpectedly.

Phil and Shareen said they were delighted to be working with Helen and Tim on this new venture.

“We are sure that the excellent organic meat and produce from Helen’s Eastbrook Farm and the reputation of The Royal Oak at Bishopstone, will be incentive enough for the former customers of Bistro Les Chats to support this great idea. We wish Tim, Helen, chef Paul and his new team every success with the pop-up venture, which is planned to open after Easter.

“We know we already shared many customers and this is a great opportunity for more people in Swindon to experience good organic food in the heart of Old Town.”

Helen Browning’s Chop House launches on March 30 and will be open from Wednesday to Sunday. To make a reservation call 01793 527082.