A SAINTS legend has cut the ribbon at the opening of a new restaurant.

Freeman of the City Francis Benali ventured over the Itchen Bridge to try out the cocktails and burgers at Vospers – a new venue dedicated to the city’s last shipyard.

Set up by Mettricks coffee entrepreneur Spencer Bowman, it’s one of three new restaurants at the £700 million Woolston Waterside Crest Nicholson development.

Serving burgers, local ales and cocktails, and headed by former chef-to-the-stars Jay Geddes, the menu pays homage to Woolston’s proud history with dishes named after ships and key dates in maritime history, and drinks crafted specially by Venezuelan mixologist Roger Ossa.

Owner Spencer Bowman –who now counts five Mettricks coffee shops among his restaurant portfolio – commissioned local carpenter Matt Jones to design the 1920s industrial maritime themed bar and furniture, and has even created a ‘wall of fame’ with photos of former Vospers workers –including shipbuilder John Thorneycroft whose shipbuilding company was the precursor to Vospers.

Local lad Spencer said: “My team is passionate about serving Southampton’s best burgers while remembering the history and heritage of the ship building community that used to work on this site. We take real pride in the quality of the product we serve and the family hospitality we deliver. The menu is locally sourced wherever possible, with buns baked in Netley and meat from local butchers.”

Franny, whose gran lived in Woolston, said: “I’d like to wish Spencer and Jay every success in the new venture. The burgers were amazing!”