TWO Cornish food businesses have joined forces which will bring them together under one roof.

Scarlet Wines, of Lelant, and Antoninis, of Hayle, will form a collaboration at The Old Forge.

The popular Italian restaurant which will stay open as usual, but Becky and Mike Antonini are taking over the café and deli at The Old Forge – home of Scarlet Wines - which they will run alongside a wine and spirits store operated by the Scarlets team.

Owner of Scarlet Wines, Jon Keast, said: “We have been fortunate enough to grow Scarlet Wines as a café, deli, retail and trade business over the last ten years to such an extent that the business now warrants separating into its constituent parts.”

He continued: “Having set up a wine merchant a decade ago with a passion for bringing fantastic wines to our customers, we are now refocusing on that original vision. We’ll be doing this via a new retail space at The Old Forge, while continuing to expand our bespoke wholesale services to pubs and restaurants across West Cornwall.”

Mike and Becky Antonini have gained a loyal following at their Italian Eatery in Hayle since establishing the restaurant in 2012. They are both looking forward to the challenge of running the café and deli at The Old Forge.

Becky explained: “Sister to Antoninis in Hayle, The Old Forge will have the same ethos of authentic ingredients, great flavours, and warm hospitality. With a small team of kitchen and front of house staff we’ll provide a relaxed and friendly dining experience, serving seasonal, cheerful and nostalgic food.”

She added: “The bistro won’t be solely Italian, and we’ll continue to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner with a Mediterranean feel just as Jon and the team have done before us. Of course customers will still be able to enjoy an extensive selection of wines courtesy of Scarlets. We can’t wait to welcome old and new customers to The Old Forge.”

Meanwhile the new Scarlet Wines shop promises to be crammed full of eclectic, interesting and great value wines, plus artisan spirits, craft cider and small-batch beers.

Jon says: “Wine lovers will find we have more time to talk, enthuse and advise. For us it's an opportunity to return to doing one thing really well - sourcing and sharing the wines we love.”

The combined attraction of a buzzing bistro, alongside an acclaimed wine merchant, looks set to make The Old Forge one of Cornwall’s most attractive food and drink propositions for 2020.

The Old Forge Bistro will officially open on February 4, as will the new wine store. Scarlet Wines will be closed on Sundays and Mondays throughout January to facilitate the changes.