THE owner of Stourbridge's newest restaurant Lockside Steakhouse has told how he's booked up until mid June - such has been the demand to try out the new Enville Street eaterie.

Doors at the new venture were able to open their outdoor area to customers on Monday (April 12) with the relaxation of lockdown rules and Mat Lemm, who is running the restaurant with partner Katie Butler, said he has been overwhelmed by the interest in the independent venture.

He said: "We had a really good day on Monday. We were full morning, noon and night."

Mat, aged 41, who hails from Darlaston but now lives in Burntwood, said they have been inundated with enquiries and are fully booked until the middle of June.

Stourbridge News: The new Lockside Steakhouse has opened in a former pub building on Enville StreetThe new Lockside Steakhouse has opened in a former pub building on Enville Street

He said the Lockside Steakhouse originally started out as a business within a business at Bar 10 in Walsall where he was assistant/events manager and Katie, aged 30, was the manager.

The venture, located in a function room at the canalside bar, only had capacity for seven tables and as the business started to take off towards the end of 2019 they were turning customers away in droves. But then the coronavirus pandemic hit.

A global health crisis may not be everyone's ideal choice to start a new venture, but Mat decided it was the perfect time as he felt by the end of it people would be "itching to get out" and have somewhere new to go.

So the couple began looking for their own premises and with help from a small business grant, money earned during last August's Eat Out to Help Out scheme and some savings - they settled on the former Somerset House pub building on the edge of Stourbridge which was once famous for being a place where punters could stick pint glasses on the walls - or at least DJ/presenter Chris Evans made it appear that way on his TFI Friday TV show.

Mat said: "We did some market research and there really wasn't a good deal of fresh places to eat in Stourbridge.

Stourbridge News: One of the dishes served up at the new Lockside Steakhouse. Pic - FacebookOne of the dishes served up at the new Lockside Steakhouse. Pic - Facebook

"All our food is freshly made with fresh produce from local suppliers - and we only use the finest cuts of steak you can get and we make a lot of our own stuff from scratch. We don't buy anything in; we've only got one freezer.

"We've been compared to Miller and Carter but the nearest is on the Penn Road near Wolverhampton."

He said the couple's savings had been intended for moving to a bigger house but they decided to take the chance on the business - and then Katie, who hails from Bournemouth, fell pregnant with twins which are due in July - so this year is proving a "massive adventure" for the pair who have a five-year-old son together.

Stourbridge News: Mat Lemm and Katie Butler - who have opened the new Lockside SteakhouseMat Lemm and Katie Butler - who have opened the new Lockside Steakhouse

Mat, who also has two sons from a previous relationship, said: "We've really enjoyed the last 12 months. It's been such a crazy roller coaster but we think we've created something really special."

The venture which is open seven days a week has also seen 27 new jobs created locally.

 

Stourbridge News: To help encourage people to spend their money locally as businesses emerge from months of restrictions and closure - we are relaunching our Love Local Business campaign.

This follows our successful campaign, of the same name, which we ran in the News Group last summer and over Christmas.

The aim is to promote the fantastic traders we have in our towns and urge readers to give them their custom at this key time.

As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Stourbridge News reaches a large percentage of the local population with its print publication, record online audiences and social media.

Businesses wishing to be featured in the campaign can call 01905 742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.