Ref. 12362/2THE first new restaurant in Devizes for some years is due to open its doors later this month, in time for Mothering Sunday.

Merlins, in Long Street, is the brainchild of Lucy Bateman, ex-wife of Michael Reed, Andrew Lloyd Webber's worldwide musical director.

Ms Bateman was instrumental in organising the high-profile fund-raising events in Worton, near Devizes, including an outdoor concert of Songs from the Shows with stars from the West End.

After her marriage broke down Ms Bateman, who has spent many years in theatre and TV management, looked around for a new career. She said: "I love this area and I wanted to stay here."

She teamed up with friends in Worton, including the former landlord and chef of the Rose and Crown, Michael Doldon, and John and Christine Bodman, directors of the family firm Bodman's Coaches.

Ms Bateman said: "We had been talking about it since last August. We started looking for premises in Devizes, where we saw a gap in the market for a really good but reasonably priced restaurant somewhere to go and relax that is not a pub."

They found some former architects offices in Long Street, beside Elm Tree Court. The three storey accommodation is easily convertible to a capacious yet intimate restaurant.

The choice of the name Merlins is that of Ms Bateman's cat. She said: "Merlin is my great big ginger moggie, but the name is very evocative for most people. The people we have asked about it talk about everything from medieval magic to the engine in a Spitfire."

Mr Doldon, who will be the chef, added: "It means the food will be magical."

Mr Doldon has drawn up a draft menu that borrows recipes from all over the world, including good old traditional English fare.

Liver and onions, fish and chips, Lancashire hot pot and steak and kidney pudding will be on the menu.

But the restaurant will also offer more exotic dishes like Chinese Hoi Sin marinated duck breast; Caribbean marlin steak; tiger prawns in ginger, turmeric and fresh coriander finished with coconut milk and served with rice noodles and Lenguado Alberto, or Dover sole, with red pepper and langoustine bisque.

The full, three-course meal should cost less than £25.

On the ground floor of the restaurant is the entrance foyer, reception area, bar and lunch area, while on the first floor the partners have kept the office layout to create a series of small, intimate areas, separated by wooden screens.

On the third floor is a function room capable of taking a party of up to 20.

The partners are keen that Merlins is associated with having fun. There will be live, acoustic music on many nights and the Bodmans are offering a free ride home on the bus for pre-booked parties of ten or more.

Ms Bateman said: "We will be serving to 11pm, so people can drop in for a bite to eat after the cinema or theatre.

"In fact, they can have their starter and main course, go off and see their film or play, and come back for dessert and coffee afterwards."

All the ingredients for the meals, as far as is possible, will be purchased locally and all the food, including the bread rolls, prepared on the premises.

And for those of us who prefer not to have our food tainted with someone else's tobacco smoke, there will be no smoking in the building, except in the bar.