A TOWN centre burger joint is set to open its doors in September.

Work on the former dilapidated Pitchers bar in Salford is getting a £360,000 makeover to convert it into a branch of Frankies Burgers and Dessert Parlour, a gourmet burger restaurant.

The new restaurant will create 25 new jobs. The work has continued apace as a new roof is being installed onto the dilapidated building.

Sadik Ibrahim, from the main contractror Cr8, said the new development would be a great addition to Blackburn town centre.

He said: "We are hoping to open in September and we will start recruiting for them very soon.

"We are working hard with Cllr Phil Riley and Claire Booth (senior planning officer) to find out what we can and can't do with the building but it's all very positive.

"The building is crumbling so the new roof has gone on so with that, the total investment into the site will be around £360,000 and it shows a commitment into Blackburn for decades. You wouldn't put in this level of investment and be gone a year later.

"The restaurant will create new jobs, which is a positive thing for the town, and the new development will enhance what's already there.

"It's in a great location in the centre of town, right next to Morrisons and will be another great boosts to the town.

"And when people get together over food, they soon forget their differences."

Pitchers closed in December 2010 and had become a blight on the regeneration of the town centre as the new £5 million bus station opposite and the £35 million Cathedral Quarter rose around it.

After failing to reach its reserve price of £250,000 at auction in December, it was sold privately by estate agents Trevor Dawson for a value believed to be close to the highest offer of £230,000.