A NEW steak restaurant is the latest addition to Blackburn growing food and drink scene – creating 20 jobs.

Steakout will launch in the former Chiquito restaurant in Lower Audley Street after a £400,000 makeover.

Other restaurants to open in Blackburn in the last 12 months include East Z East in King George’s Hall and Hugo Burrito Mexican on Northgate.

Italian restaurant Gioia opened in Church Street in December 2017 but was forced to close earlier this year due to lack of business.

The former Pitcher’s bar on Salford is currently being turned into a gourmet burger restaurant and dessert parlour.

And in Blackburn’s Cathedral Square, Italian restaurant A Mano opened in October 2017 and Turtle Bay opened in February last year.

A number of dessert cafes have also opened in the last year.

Steakout has already held a soft-opening already where guests were able to taste the range of dishes on offer.

The menu features signature beef and lamb steaks as well as a variety of burgers.

The new halal restaurant has 170 seats, including 130 inside and 40 outside.

Owner Rezaul Majid, who has lived in Blackburn and Preston, said the new restaurant would bring something different to the town.

He said: “We have been open for a few evenings for some private events and the feedback so far has been great. People have been really impressed with the look and menu.

“It is a bit different for Blackburn and we are hoping to attract a wide range of customers from across the county.

“There has been interest already from people from outside Blackburn who want to visit the town just to sample the steaks.”

He said the restaurant had undergone major renovations.

He added: “We have had professional designers in to give the restaurant a unique feel and I am really proud of how it has turned out.

“The chefs have been training for six months at the head office in London which is why we took just a bit longer to open.”

Steakout also hosts an in-house dessert parlour. There is a separate entrance for ‘Shakeout’ which serves arange of ice creams and milkshakes.

Rezaul added: “Only the bigger restaurants have specialist ice-cream parlours where we serve a range of milk shakes.

“People can come in for just the desserts if they wish in a separate seating area next to the entrance.”

Steakout was founded by Kaysor Ali and opened its first London store in 2008. It expanded to eight franchised restaurants across the UK from 2013 to 2015.

The new Blackburn restaurant becomes the ninth in the country.