Hollie and Abby Martin, who grew up in the area and still live locally, are bringing their long-held dream to life with a venue they hope will become a warm, welcoming space for people of all walks of life.
Hollie told the News Shopper: “It’s always been our dream. We’re like twins with five years between us.
“We’ve got the same group of friends, we socialise together, we’re pretty inseparable,
“There’s no one else I would rather go into business with and I can honestly say — I’m so proud.
“The day that it opens, standing there with Abby, I will be so proud. We’ve put so much heart and soul into it.”
The sisters have spent years on The Oval, working in local businesses and building relationships but they always hoped they’d one day open something of their own.
It is a full-circle moment for the pair.
Hollie added: “When I heard that there was a unit available, I just went for it.
“All guns blazing, straight in. I thought, this is what I want to do. This is the location. I’ve been set on it for years.”
The bar, will focus on carefully chosen wines, light bites, and meaningful touches that go beyond your average wine list.
She added: “We will sell wine and cheese of course but I also want to make this a space for the community with a book club and other social events.
“Customers don’t have to drink either. They can come and have a cup of coffee.”
The sisters are designing the menu to be thoughtful but approachable, with options like olives, sourdough, and tinned fish boards — a more substantial alternative to traditional bar snacks.
Hollie is also due to complete her Level 3 wine qualification this summer and is keen to use that knowledge to bring something new to the local scene.
She added: “I want to give people something that tastes like a Pinot Grigio, but is a different wine so that we can open up people to a different calibration of wine, really.”
Wine tastings will range from informal drop-ins to more structured, bookable sessions.
Hollie explained: “There’ll definitely be tastings that you can book, which will be more of a wine and flight, they’ll be paired… but I also think there’ll be times where I’ll have tastings just casually available, or I’ll say to people, ‘What do you like? Why don’t I give you these to taste?’”
The site has already started drawing attention since the sisters put up signage announcing the upcoming opening.
She said: “This area just has one of those communities where people really wish people well. I had a lot of people approach me saying, ‘Good luck, we’ll be there when it opens.’”
Hollie’s husband, who runs a building firm, is due to begin the fit-out this month.
The sisters plan to announce an official opening date and share a first look inside the venue later this summer.
