TOP chef-patron Andrew Pern says he hopes his latest restaurant venture, The Star Inn The Harbour in Whitby, will begin trading by mid-June.

Mr Pern, who already runs the Star Inn at Harome, near Helmsley, and The Star Inn the City and Mr P’s Curious Tavern, both in York, was responding to speculation that he is seeking to open a third restaurant in York at the former Terry’s factory site.

He said he was currently concentrating on the opening of the new Brasserie-style restaurant in Whitby, adding: “Whilst we would never turn down an interesting opportunity, we would look after our existing businesses first.”