A burger bar which attracts food fans from across the UK has opened a new restaurant in Blackburn town centre.

16th Street has moved in next door to the Reel Cinemas and the Istanbul Restaurant.

The new £500,000, 60-seater restaurant takes up an empty unit right in the heart of the town centre, creating 10 full and part-time roles.

It comes after the runaway success of the takeaway, which launched during lockdown on Shear Brow, next to the old St Mary’s College building. That site will remain open in addition to this restaurant.

Uwais Bux came up with the idea for the unique burger creations when he was just 14  in the basement of his home selling to neighbours and friends.

Ten years later is helping to manage two 16th Street outlets.

The menu has a unique and almost cult like following with t-shirts and merchandise all part of the brand’s growing appeal.

Lancashire Telegraph: 16th Street has moved in next door to the Reel Cinemas and the Istanbul Restaurant.

Uwais said: “We Began In my basement, never expected the amount of people to travel from all over especially during lockdown and quickly gained a following for our ultra thin smash burgers. 

“We would like to say that we were the first bringing the smash burger idea to the town which many have now followed suit

“People will drive up from the midlands and even London just to come and eat at the takeaway. It might seem unreal but we actually have people driving for miles just to taste the burger after what they have heard.

"It is good for Blackburn and good for the town.”

16th Street says it prides itself in using Angus beef with fresh ingredients to produce ‘smash burgers with a difference’.

The central location is something 16th Street are hoping to take advantage of.

He said: “When we moved in it was completely blank. We have had to bring everything in.

“It has been fun seeing our ideas come into fruition.

“It is a prime location and we have the college nearby and both the Reel Cinemas and the Istanbul Restaurant next door.”

The name itself derives from a family "tradition". Uwais’s grandad lived at a house at number 16 Woolwich Street when he came to the UK and the family then moved to 16 Blackburn Street. They now live at another number 16.

Uwais said: It seems like the number 16 is following us around so we thought it would be a great name for the business.”