THE FORMER Baroque site on Chequer Street, St Albans, is to become a restaurant backed by the owner of the Ivy in London.

Billionaire businessman Richard Caring’s ‘Bill’s’ franchise is moving in to the old Cross Keys site and is set to open later this year.

The 14-strong chain offers a cross between a restaurant, café and store.

Just three months ago the city witnessed the mysterious departure of Baroque, which had only been open around two months.

Staff were apparently only given several hours notice before the bar and grill closed. The operators, Heritage Inns, reportedly went into administration in October.