THE Hereford independent food scene continues to grow as new restaurants open and there are more set to start up.

Two new Tapas eateries have opened, a pub has been renovated and a new pizza place is heading to the city.

The directors of The Rule of Tum have also applied for a premises licence for the unit next to their popular Burger Shop in Aubrey Street, which opened in November.

Jon Stead, who runs the company with brothers Edwin and Dorian Kirk, said they hope the new premises will become a food hub for Hereford where budding companies can showcase their cuisine.

He said: "We want to do lots of exciting food events and keep things fresh. It is an opportunity to make things exciting and try different concepts.

"That is the short term dream for me- to put Hereford on the map for food. It should be- we have the producers and the suppliers."

They hope to open it in September as a collaborative food space from Monday to Thursday, while on Friday and Saturday have a bar vibe with British small plates being served and then offer Sunday lunches.

The new premises will also have a prep kitchen, as The Rule of Tum will be appearing at summer events, including their own dedicated space at restaurant St John's Place during Hay Festival.

And Mr Stead said he is pleased to see more food places opening. He said: "When we first came back to Hereford we wanted this to happen- to have a bit of a food revolution going on."

The Old Bridge in Bridge Street opened its doors on April 8- selling tapas and Mediterranean style food.

It is run by A2Zest Events and was previously a cafe, but had been closed for more than a year.

While tapas bar and restaurant Little Black Dog Cafe was opened at The Mews in St Owen Street last week by Liz Armitage and her daughter, Milly.

It will be open Monday to Saturday, including Friday and Saturday evenings.

Darren and Elena Isiorho reopened The Orange Tree in King Street at the start of April, following a renovation, and said they are offering a fine dining menu of British and European cuisine.

The couple, who moved to the area from London three years ago, also run The Bridge House B&B in Ross-on-Wye.

And The Shack Revolution is opening in Bastion Mews on May 20 and will sell pizza, beer and cocktails.

Bromyard brothers Rich and James Manning run a mobile cocktail bar and wanted a permanent base for their venture. It is going to be a pop-up shop for six to eight months and if it is a success it will stay in Hereford.