A POPULAR town centre cafe and restaurant has reopened under new owners after fire.

Figo’s has opened in Accrington at the site of the former Lily Mae’s, which has been closed since February this year after a fire.

It is now owned by Fikret Aktan who previously worked as a chef at the cafe and bistro in King Street near The Viaduct for ‘a number of years’.

He runs the site with his wife Amy Aktan who said the opening of the site provides a boost to the area.

The 32-year-old said: “The public have been so supportive of us getting open.

“It can be difficult for new businesses and Lily Mae’s was closed for such a long time.

“It’s a really good thing for Accrington that we’ve opened.

“Hopefully it is going to be a big success.

“There is not much centralised in the town in terms of restaurants.

“It’s great for old people, it is close to the bus station so it is easy for them to pop in and then get home.”

The couple, who live in the Dill Hall Lane area of Accrington, also said they hope to open a takeaway service in the future at the restaurant.

Mr Aktan has lived in Accrington for around 13 years while his wife has lived in the town her entire life.

The site will be running a cafe and bistro seven days a week and feature an all day breakfast, toasties, baguettes and classic dishes such as fish and chips.

On an evening it will be open as an Italian restaurant from 4.30pm on Tuesdays to Sundays.

Shahed Mahmood, from the Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, said it was good news to see the site reopen in town.

He said: “There is a need for this sort of place in the area.

“Congratulations to them for taking over, it is a boost for businesses in the town.

“It previously was a very popular site and I hope that continues.

“It still is one of my favourite places to go for a beverage and a meal.”

In September Brian Healy, from Healy’s Wine Bar and Brassiere announced he would not be reopening at the site.

He will be moving to run the The Stanhill Pub and Kitchen from February next year.