A TASTE of the Mediterranean is coming to Blackburn as a Greek restaurant is set to open.

Set up by the East Lancashire Deaf Society (ELDS), The Parthenon will create around 10 new jobs.

The site in Kings Street will open three nights a week and have both deaf and hearing staff working there.

The menu will offer a wide range of seafood options as well as mezes, oriental dishes and a variety of Greek deserts.

The restaurant will also provide live Greek music and Mediterranean entertainment for guests.

Doug Alker, managing director of ELDS, said: “We are delighted to open this new restaurant in the town as it will contribute to the growth of Blackburn’s nightlife.

“We are also providing employment opportunities for young deaf people from across the North West.”

The charity works with those who are deaf and hard of hearing and train deaf apprentices, who then go onto employment or further training.

The chef at the venue will be Dionysios Athanasopoulos, 60, from Kalamata in Greece, and he will aim to provide authentic cuisine from his homeland.

The ELDS decided to open the restaurant after seeing a gap in the market.

Syka Iftikar, director of operations of ELDS, said: “We decided on a Greek restaurant because following a market study, we identified a gap.

“We are hoping that a Greek restaurant will bring more culture and diversity to the town centre.

“The Parthenon Greek restaurant will be another social enterprise of ELDS and in the same light as all of the other enterprises, it will offer employment opportunities to deaf people.”

The new restaurant comes as several new night spots have appeared in the town over recent months, including Turtle Bay in the Cathedral Quarter, Tiki Monkey and The Drummers Arms in King William Street and Nando’s in Peel Retail Park.

James Newton, a member of Improve Blackburn’s Nightlife, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to the owners of the new Greek restaurant and wish them the best of luck.

“It is a great new edition to the town.

“We are getting a real mix of restaurants, catering for all different tastes, which makes sure people have a great weekend.”

This will be the second restaurant opened by the ELDS as it already runs The Courthouse at the Kings Court site.

It will open on Thursday, May 25, and reservations can be made by calling 01254 296096.