A MUSIC venue owner and take-away pizza boss are to join forces to open a 60-seat diner.

The unlikely duo have decided to combine their individual strengths and open a diner in September to attract a wider audience.

Sunbird Records and Eddie’s Woodfired pizza’s have been successfully serving the people of Darwen from under the same roof since last year.

The live music venue owner Jonathan Lindley opened his record label, Sunbird Records last April and was joined three months later by Eddie’s pizza.

Now, refurbishments which will see the space they share opened up to make way for the seating booths. It is hoped the work will be completed by September.

Building owner Shaz Fani, 32, who is based in London, said: “We hope to solidify our already good relationship with Sunbird’s by creating the dining area.

“They did a massive renovation when they opened last year, so we want to create something that builds on their design.

“We hope the dining area will attract more families, who will then stay for the music at Sunbird’s.”

Mr Lindley, 28, who lives in Darwen said: “As well as bringing in the seating we want to finish the bits we didn’t get done during the renovation.

“We want to tidy the bar up and start serving a wider variety of drinks.

“We hope the new seating will encourage people to come and get comfortable and stay all night.”

Eddie’s will be responsible for the food and he will be offering the same popular take-away menu, but with the option to eat inside.

Mr Fani said: “We have an excellent reputation for spinning beautiful pizzas.

“Our dough goes through a loving process to become a sour dough without using rising agents which allows healthy minerals to be released and thus contains a high level of nutritional value.

“You can’t achieve that from factory made pizza or cheap takeaway pizza.”

Sunbird’s will also offer a range of locally sourced ales, beers and spirits.