Hurstwood signs restaurants in Lancashire

Hurstwood has completed two restaurant deals in Blackburn and Rawtenstall. The property company has agreed a five-year lease at its Apollo Cinema building in Blackburn with an Italian restaurant. The former Papa Luigi's bistro located on King William Street, comprises 130 covers and has been rebranded Gino's. It is the town's first Italian to offer a full Halal menu.

In the second deal 23-27 Bacup Road in Rawtenstall has been let to Usman Ali who will open Italian and Indian restaurant Premier Ashoka later this year. With 150 covers, the restaurant will combine a café bar and wine bar.

Mark Carling, sales director at Hurstwood, commented: "These two deals are significant both for the towns themselves but also represent activity returning to the leisure sector. The Blackburn restaurant is in a prime location, and is bound to create a lot of local interest. The Rossendale restaurant is a large-scale venture. The premises were previously used as a furniture store."

Based at Navigation Business Park, Bolton, Hurstwood has commercial property interests in the North West, Midlands and Wales with approximately 500 occupier clients at over 100 locations.