Blackburn's new Turkish restaurant to be open by Christmas

Owners The Atrium Group have revealed the planned launch date along with pictures of how the Istanbul Restaurant and Bar in Blackburn with look.

It is proposed for the former Reidy’s music store on Nab Lane – near Blackburn College, the town’s sports and leisure centre and the new Reel Cinema.

Part of a fast-growing chain it will have 55 tables and accommodate up to 220 diners with more space available in the ground floor bar.

The music store, which next year celebrates its centenary, is to open a large showroom at its new base on the Glenfield Business Park, off Philips Road in Blackburn.

The planning application by the Bury-based firm has already been welcomed by Blackburn Central ward councillors Zamir Khan and Mahfooz Hussain as well as Conservative regeneration spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow.

The new restaurant dovetails with plans for a new leisure quarter of bars and restaurants in the £3.8million Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage Project.

A spokeswoman for The Atrium Group said: "Istanbul Restaurant are one of the fastest growing UK restaurant chains.

"With established locations in Manchester, Oldham and further locations in Derby and Nottingham providing a foothold in the Midland region, the restaurant's rise shows no signs of slowing with the eagerly-anticipated Blackburn branch scheduled to open before the end of the year.

"I can confirm that sites in Bolton and Leeds have been earmarked for further Istanbul Restaurant's as a top priority.

"The 220-seater restaurant complete with an open kitchen will see authentic Turkish cuisine brought to Blackburn in a captivating and plush environment and will operate from from 11am to11pm seven days a week."

Plans submitted with the application reveal that there will be 33 tables for four diners in a ground floor dining area next to a bar area with seven tables for two and 15 bar stools.

There will be a mezzanine floor above the bar with another 22 tables for four diners.