There is something undeniably satisfying about eating brunch, or dinner in a place where people used to queue to cash cheques.
It feels a bit illicit, a bit grand, and in the case of Centivo Lounge in Ashby de la Zouch, it feels entirely comfortable.
This isn’t just another chain restaurant; it’s a masterclass in how to breathe colourful, eccentric life into a serious old building.
From Bank Manager to Burger Menu
If you walked past this building a few years ago, you would have seen the sober façade of the HSBC bank. Today, the Grade II listed exterior remains dignified, but step inside, and the transformation is startling.
The ‘Loungers’ group is famous for taking interesting buildings and filling them with a specific brand of cluttered cosiness, and they haven’t held back here.
The high ceilings of the old banking hall are now adorned with oversized industrial lighting, while the walls are plastered with a chaotic but charming mix of vintage portraits and mirrors.
But the real showstopper is the history you can touch. The designers have kept the original heavy steel vault door as a centrepiece. It’s now permanently open, revealing a cosy, intimate dining nook inside the strongroom itself.
It’s a fantastic touch—there aren’t many places where you can enjoy a coffee surrounded by reinforced steel that once guarded Ashby’s wealth.
For the warmer days there is a gorgeous courtyard out the back, where the bank workers obviously enjoyed a break back in the day.
A Menu for Every Mood
The beauty of the “Lounge” concept is its flexibility. It doesn’t judge you. Want a full English breakfast at 2 pm? Fine. Want cocktails and tapas on a Tuesday night? Also fine.
The menu is vast, catering to the “I can’t decide” crowd perfectly. The tapas are a highlight—the Bang Bang Cauliflower and Patatas Bravas are reliable crowd-pleasers.
For brunch, the menu ranges from the virtuous (avocado and feta) to the indulgent (triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes).
They also take dietary requirements seriously, with dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus that don’t feel like afterthoughts—a massive plus for mixed groups of diners.
I was very hungry so was eager to order one of their wonderful Bacon Cheese Smash Burgers. Packed with 2 succulent patties, american cheese, bacon and a whole host of fresh veg.
Zoe was in the gluten free menu and went for the equivalent. It looked extremely tasty itself! I noticed the little flags that help avoid any confusion as to what of their dietary choice menus it came from.
Now then. Puddings. A word of warning. I love profiteroles, I love cream, I love biscotti. So when I saw on the menu:
Biscoff banoffee Choux! I went for it. What came was the biggest, filled profiterole I have ever seen!
With whipped cream, caramel, banana, tooped with lots of Biscoff and sauce.
A True “Home from Home”
What struck me most during the visit wasn’t just the food, but the atmosphere. It manages to be cavernous yet cosy. The “Little Loungers” section is stocked with games and colouring pads, making it a stress-free zone for parents.
Crucially, for a town like Ashby where dog walking is practically a competitive sport, Centivo is genuinely dog-friendly.
You’ll spot well-behaved pooches snoozing under tables while their owners catch up over coffee. It reinforces the feeling that this isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a community living room.
The Verdict
Ashby has plenty of places to eat, but Centivo Lounge fills a specific gap. It’s reliable enough for a quick lunch, quirky enough for a dinner date, and relaxed enough to sit with a laptop and a coffee for an hour.
Whether you’re sitting in the window watching Market Street go by, or tucked away in the bank vault, it’s a welcome addition to the town’s thriving scene.
Centivo Lounge Bar is perfectly situated for after an exploration of Ashby Castle. Or taking in the fresh air of Ashby Bath Grounds and uncovering this Town’s history.
Source link
