It was converted into a French restaurant in 2012 and under chef Stephane Borie, it was awarded a Michelin star later that year.

[2] The dining room has low-slung beams, and an open brick fireplace,[4] around which are placed Laura Ashley sofas.

The chestnut wood flooring of the restaurant was created from a fallen tree on the Francis family farm.

[2] The menu uses locally grown produce from Powys and Shropshire,[6] and is a combination of classic and modern French cuisine with seasonal changes.

[7] Dishes include a pork belly main from the nearby Neuadd Fach baconry, which is served with an apple mousseline, pear and au jus.

Desserts served include a nougat tube filled with white chocolate and passion fruit mousse, and a trio of lemon pots.

This was attributed to a desire to reduce the food waste produced by the restaurant, which staff hoped that could drop by half as a result of the change.

[5] References to the Checkers Inn in Montgomery within the British Newspaper Archives appear as far back as 1855, when Rebecca Davies' annual ball was due to take place in the large room there.

Norman concluded that the restaurant was a "slick operation", but the "character, vibrancy and fun had been slaughtered on the altar of satisfying the inspectorate".