A GROWING bar brand is branching out to open up in the Ribble Valley next month.

Tiger Lounge has taken over the former Villa in Whalley Road, Clitheroe, and it is scheduled to open on April 12.

Damian Cunliffe, boss at Tiger Lounge which has four venues already, said they were excited about opening their fifth pub in the area.

He said: "We have had great success in Oswaldtwistle and then we have two places in Rawtenstall and then we took over one in Accrington which has been great too.

"We have been doing really well and have been looking for a site in the Ribble Valley for quite some time and The Villa has become available.

"The timing has been difficult with Covid and bars being shut but it is right to open in April.

"The Clitheroe one has everything that our other sites have but in one building.

"We were very drawn to the Ribble Valley as there was investment in the nature walk behind the Villa.

"It was a great time to strike as there is nice clientele there too and we are very excited about it.

"There are a great number of places to eat and drink with Holmes Mill in the town and then you have a lot of independent pubs which give a multi-functional offering."

Damian said they were recruiting 30 members of staff for both full and part-time positions.

He said: "This is an iconic building and we want to bring an old building back to its best.

"We are really excited about it and are actively recruiting and if anyone wants to find out more then check out our social media pages for more information."

Bosses are also looking to apply for licences to hold weddings at the venue and want to use the function rooms for baby showers and other events.

Damian added: "We want to make use of the terrace outside and when we open on April 12, similar to Accrington, we are putting up a big marquee and people can come along.

"It means we have five bars in the area. It was our original plan was to open 10 in the North West in a 12-18 month period but COVID kicked in but we are still looking to open two or three a year."