Rob McElhenney says new wine bar is 'place to be' in Wrexham

Wrexham AFC's star co-owner was replying to a social media post by Vault33 wine bar - soon to open on High Street.

Former Wrexham AFC player Neil Roberts co-owns and manages the new venture. He started his footballing career with his hometown club Wrexham in 1994 and went on to play for Wigan Athletic, Hull City, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers, before returning to Wrexham in 2006 where he became team captain.

He is also a Welsh international with four caps.

Neil Roberts in action for Wrexham AFC. (Image: Wrexham AFC)

The building at 33 High Street, most recently used as Jones Peckover estate agent office space, was bought by friends and new business partners Craig Thomas and Geraint Lewis last year. The pair approached Neil once they had decided to go down the hospitality route and as soon as the planning application was approved in October 2023.

Built in 1912 by Grayson and Ould, Architects, for the Bank of Liverpool, the building is part of a number of surrounding protected buildings that fall within the Wrexham Town Centre conservation area.

33 High Street, Wrexham (Image: Google Maps)

The ground floor of the old office space is to be opened up to create a spacious bar area with lots of seating and a main central service area.

​Designated as a Grade II listed building in 1980, the reason given for listing by Cadw is that the building is “a good example of early 20th century commercial architecture, forming part of an important group of commercial buildings.”

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The architectural style of the building is based on the ‘Palazzo style’, which refers to a style from the 19th and 20th centuries based upon the palaces of wealthy Italian families of the Italian Renaissance.

With renovations underway, the bar is expected to open towards the end of March, beginning of April, with a date yet to be confirmed.

And it's already been endorsed by Wrexham AFC's co-owner, Rob McElhenney. He said: "I’ve already had the pleasure of touring this spot and let me tell you… this will be the place to be in Wrexham!"