Mark Birchall has announced his first solo venture which is due to open next year. Moor Hall is situated in Aughton, West Lancashire in five acres of breathtaking gardens; this exciting new project will be a restaurant with rooms.

A grade II* listed gentry house of mid-sixteenth century origin, Moor Hall is one of the most important listed buildings in the UK. The site was acquired by Andy and Tracey Bell in 2015 and is undergoing a major renovation which is due to be completed in 2016.

In partnership with friend and business partner Mark, Moor Hall will have a beautiful restaurant with luxury rooms whilst the converted barn will follow later as a contemporary casual dining experience.

Mark said: "We'd been looking for 12 months but Moor Hall had the full package. It's going to be absolutely amazing!"

Mark who recently announced he was leaving Simon Rogan's 2 Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cumbria, says his menus will show case his own style of modern British cuisine, reflecting the broad culinary experience he has garnered over the last 15 years.

His plans for Moor Hall also include the transformation of additional buildings within the grounds (lodge, barns, stables) on the grounds for extensive further dining and kitchen operations, as well as developing the gardens, orchards and small lake.

He explained he would not be 'reinventing himself' and said: "The food will have my DNA through it as my dishes always have but it's 12 months away yet - we still have plenty of work to do."

He added: "I'm excited and I'm glad it's out in the open now and i can talk about it."

Following training at Runshaw College he began his career working at The Walnut Tree Inn, Abergavenny with Franco Taruschio and then at Northcote, Langho with Nigel Haworth.

Mark won the Roux Scholarship, the premier competition for chefs in the UK and amongst the most prestigious in the world. Mark was also named Cumbria Chef of the Year in 2014.

He also worked at El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, a 3 Michelin Star Restaurant owned by the Roca Brothers, twice voted the world’s best restaurant. Mark joined L’Enclume in 2006, where he helped guide the team to five AA Rosettes, two Michelin stars and the UK’s best restaurant in the Waitrose Good Food Guide with a full 10/10 rating.

>>> Related: The Roux Scholarship winners: where are they now? (part 3)

Watch our video with Mark when he was at L'Enclume: