A NEW Italian restaurant is set to open in a town centre this week.

The former Esco-Bar in Darwen has now been converted into an Italian restaurant – Ripasso.

The opening comes eight months after Jason 'Jay Jay' Taylor, 23, from Darwen, was stabbed outside the former bar and later died from his injuries.

After the bosses at Esco-Bar left the premises earlier this year, partners Franco, 45, from Bamber Bridge, and Antonio, 42, from Bromley Cross, have now taken over as tenants.

The pair said they were initially hesitant to move into the premises following the tragedy but decided to do so because they deemed it a good location in the town centre.

Franco said: “We know what has happened here before and we feel sorry for the young man who was stabbed here and the family and everything they have had to go through.

“That was the only thing that had put us off in the beginning but unfortunately the world has to carry on.

“We have been searching far and wide for a new location, including Bolton and other areas in Lancashire, but we chose Darwen because it has a very large community and we thought coming here would be good for a restaurant like us.”

The restaurant will be able to cater to 70 people at a time and the Italian co-owners have already received 19 bookings for the Christmas period.

Ripasso’s menu consists of three course meals which includes pasta, pizza, fish and other Italian food as well as a wide selection of red and white wines and Prosecco.

Franco, who has worked in the trade for 25 years, said: “We hope to tap into a new customer base in the town.

“We saw this beautiful spot and decided this is where we want to be. We believe we will do very well here.”

The duo have employed five full time workers and after opening they will be looking to recruit more members of staff to work in front of house and in the kitchen.

The restaurant, which has had a soft opening for the last two weeks, is due to officially launch later this week although Franco and Antonio have yet to set a date for their opening night.