HEREFORD'S food and drink scene is set to grow thanks to two new exciting developments.

The Green Dragon launches its flagship dining experience called The Hereford next month while its near neighbours are also venturing out.

The Rule of Tum team has been busy expanding The Bookshop on Aubrey Street and the restaurant will open in the middle of September.

Both operations are led by independent entrepreneurs making a significant investment in the area as both seek to put Herefordshire on the UK food and tourism map.

The Hereford will open on September 1 and forms part of the year-long refurbishment of the Green Dragon.

It will be serving locally-inspired modern British dishes with a relaxed dining experience that everyone can enjoy while diners at The Bookshop can look forward to all day opening serving an exciting new range of dishes from brunch through to supper, with plant-based dishes a clear new direction for the aspiring and creative restaurant team.

Edwin Kirk, a Rule of Tum founder, said: “The expansion of The Bookshop restaurant is an ambition realised for us and is thanks to local support through our crowd-funding project.

"Now having a neighbour with equally ambitious plans for food and tourism locally makes the journey even more exciting.

"We think we will be very complimentary in our offerings and also look forward to collaborating where we can. ”

Mike Truelove, from Hereford Business Improvement District, welcomed the news as a huge boost to the city.

"The Green Dragon will be a significant addition to what locals are now referring to as the Food Quarter of the city and joins the popular and soon to expand A Rule of Tum business as well as the specialist Hereford Beer House establishment," he added.

"The investment speaks volumes about the owners' belief in the city and area; businesses and locals are absolutely buzzing with the news.”

Meanwhile, Julian Vaughan – Managing Director at The Green Dragon – said there was a "palpable excitement in the local area".

"The culmination of lots of hard work and local support has resulted in two stand-out destinations that we believe will offer an extraordinary social scene for Herefordshire," he added.

"Working alongside our neighbours at A Rule Of Tum has created an exciting and collaborative hospitality community and we hope this inspires further investment in the area which can only be a good thing.”