A COCKTAIL bar with a herbaceous twist is set to open in the former Cafe Rouge premises in The Borough, Farnham, early in the new year, with the creation of up to 50 new jobs.

The Botanist will serve botanical cocktails, all based around fresh herbs, as well as craft beers and ales along with deli and rotisserie-inspired food.

Set to open at 4-5 Town Hall Buildings, it marks the seventh bar in The Botanist chain owned by award-winning parent company New World Trading and continues the company’s expansion into the south of England.

There will be seating for 80 diners, with food ranging from pan-fried sea bass fillets with pico de gallo to burgers and ‘hanging’ kebabs off the barbecue.

And at the bar there will be a choice of around 45 cocktails, including martinis, long drinks and “watering cans” to share, as well as a range of 82 bottled beers.

The Botanist has also been granted a premises licence to host live music, and proposes “energetic” daily evening gigs and “lazy” Sunday afternoon sessions.

New World Trading Company managing director Chris Hill said: “We are incredible excited to bring The Botanist’s legendary brand and experience to Farnham.

“The character of the Town Hall buildings is a perfect match for The Botanist concept.

“We’ve had great success further north and we are now looking forward to making our mark in Farnham.”

Neill Barber, director of Town Hall Buildings owners Amalgamated Berkshire Group, added: “As a fresh, dynamic brand with an innovative food and drinks offering, we are pleased to welcome The Botanist to Town Hall Buildings which will no doubt become and immediate destination of choice and a local institution in 2016 and beyond.”