THE England rugby captain has added his name to the list of high profile people doing business in Winchester.

Chris Robshaw has teamed up with best friend and former Hampshire cricketer Kevin Latouf to open a coffee and wine bar at 28 Jewry Street.

The pair, who are both 27 and met at school, say Black White Red will fill a gap in the market for high-end coffee and wine, and Mr Latouf will be drawing on his experience as a wine advisor to the likes of the Sunday Times.

“We’re a new concept in wine and coffee. I’ve got a site in Bishop’s Waltham (Josie’s) and really we’re taking it to another level.

“Chris and I have been best friends since we were 13 and he comes down to Winchester quite often. He’s got a bit of a fascination with coffee, food and wine, although I’ve probably put that on him!” the 27-year-old said.

Mr Latouf, who lives in Chandler’s Ford, said the venue will employ 15 people – having hired six so far, all from the Winchester district, they’re still recruiting.

The application for a licence went to the Winchester City Council two weeks ago, but Black White Red is something the duo, along with silent partner Nicholas Drysdale, having been cooking for the past 18 months.

The official opening of the bar is slated for early September.

In recent years Winchester’s reputation as a culinary hotspot has gathered pace, with celebrity chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver and Raymond Blanc all setting up shop in the city.

It is a shot in the arm for Jewry Street, as the building, on the site of the Bottoms Up off-licence, has been empty since it was completed about three years ago.