An independent wine merchants has opened its doors in an iconic Art Deco building in Chester.

Tanners Wines, recently named Independent Merchant of the Year at the International Wine Challenge awards, opened an outlet in the former auction house on Christleton Road in Boughton on Wednesday, August 27.

The imposing building was created as a cinema but never used for that purpose due to the outbreak of war. More recently it has been occupied by a variety of businesses including Phillips auctioneers, Blockbuster video and Bonham’s Chester saleroom.

The branch of the family-owned Tanners Wines Ltd of Shrewsbury includes a full range of more than 800 wines and spirits, a local delivery service, a wine dispensing machine offering premium tasting samples, a relaxed seating area and a bespoke tasting room. The branch also promises a full schedule of tempting tasting events.

The wines on offer in the new Tanners Wine Merchants on Christleton Road, Boughton

Chairman James Tanner said: “With our Shropshire base, Tanners is often called the ‘Wine Merchant of the Welsh Marches’ so Chester was the next logical step, bringing the number of branches up to seven. I have had my eye on this particular site for many years and, being old auction rooms, it has plenty of space to create a great retail experience to serve the many private and trade customers Tanners already enjoys in Cheshire, as well as expanding our reach northwards.”

Wine advisor Charles Moore, branch manager Mat Evans and Tom Thacker at the newly opened Tanners Wine Merchants in Boughton

The new store will host an exclusive launch party at the shop on Thursday, September 3, where guests will enjoy a champagne reception, followed by an informal tasting of the Tanners Wines range.

The evening will also feature guest speaker, Susy Atkins, resident wine expert on BBC1’s cookery show, Saturday Kitchen.