A RESTAURANT has re-opened after a £250,000 refurbishment.

The Pack Italian restaurant, which has been serving customers for decades in Elton Road, Belthorn, has been closed for 11 weeks during the transformation.

The owners have said it will give it a more contemporary feel while retaining the best historic features of the building.

Owners Karl and Jo-Ann Elworth were also keen to support nearby businesses during the refurbishment.

Mr Elworth said: “All the contractors we used were from Blackburn and the surrounding areas.

“We were determined to do that as we wanted the investment to go to local firms and workers.”

The changes include internal walls being knocked though, the bar area has been extended, a new entrance created, the creation of an outdoor terrace and the resurfacing of the car park.

Mr Elworth said: “The new entrance is off the car park to the rear so we think that is much better for families as they don’t have to walk past the busy main road.

“Obviously it’s the wrong time of year but we’ve also created a terrace outside with view of the Ribble Valley and Pendle Hill which will be lovely in summer.

“We’ve had a soft opening over the past fortnight and the feedback has been very good.

“People have said they like what we have done making it feel more modern while retaining the best features like the flagged floors.

“It is a big investment but we feel this will set us in good stead for the next 10 or 15 years and the old surroundings were looking a bit tired.”

The Pack has increased its number of covers from 60 to 80 and the business now employs 15 full and part-time staff.

The restaurant has retained its open kitchen but for the first time a wood-fired pizza oven had been installed.

Its margarita pizza has also come runner up in the ‘best pizza’ category at the English Italian Awards.