A beer connoisseur opened a new store and bar in the heart of Chalfont St Peter after a gap in the area.

Taking over the former NatWest building in Chalfont St Peter, the recently opened beer venue Vinny and Ted on the village High Street at 63 St Peter's Court is a happy marriage between a craft beer bottleshop and a bar.

The owner Matt Pryce, a Chalfont local of 13 years, wanted to add a new spot on the Chalfont’s offer of independent businesses.

He said: “I always wanted to open a local business, and I really enjoy my craft beer.

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“I’ve really enjoyed the beer places in Bourne End, Little Chalfont, Windsor, and I really like them as an alternative to the pub with more varied beers on sale.

“So why not open somewhere I can walk to work and get to know the locals.”

Together with cricketers Tim Murtagh, a Middlesex 4-day team captain and ex-Ireland international, and Angus Fraser, an ex-England international player, who are investors in the business, Matt was able to set up shop at the old NatWest building eventually in May after eyeing it up since March 2021.

He said: “The locals have been really supportive.

“It’s given them an alternative place to have a drink, and it adds to the village. It’s not competition to the pubs that are there as such, it’s hand in hand and makes Chalfont a good go-to destination venue together with the pubs and restaurants.

“Chalfont has always had a big selection of independent retailers and stores, and they’ve all been really supportive as well, as have the Chamber of Commerce that Chalfont has too.

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“It’s gone better than I hoped.”

As well as draft beer to enjoy in the bar, they offer more than 150 takeaway beers, and a small selection of wines – some that are locally produced by Harrow and Hope in Marlow and natural wine producer Woodfine Wine in Seer Green.

Local beer brands on stock include Creative Juices Brewing Company from Rickmansworth and XT Brewing Company in Aylesbury.

As well as ciders, they have low and no alcohol beer options.

Matt said: “It’s important for us to have regular events and music, and we also invite ‘tap takeovers’ from breweries to come in and put their beer on tap and talk about their beers.

Vinny and Ted will also do sporting Q&A events, inspired by the cricketer investors’ background.

He added: “Vinny is an old nickname of mine that stuck with me since my university days, and Ted is my Cavachon dog.

“’We’re dog friendly and very open to dogs, and we offer a discount on Sundays to dog walkers.”