A RESTAURANT has announced the date it will open ­— serving a new cuisine.

Mangiamo, on Bolton Road in Darwen, is now under new ownership and will welcome customers from May 17.

It used to be an Italian but will be re-opening as an 'all you can eat' tapas bar.

Owner Hakan Sabat, who is from Turkey, worked at the restaurant in a management position from 2005 to 2010.

He then opened an Italian restaurant, Sottovento in Farnworth, near Bolton, which he ran for 10 years.

He said: "There's a new concept, new cuisine, new management - we will start fresh.

"Tapas is fresh and very popular. You get so many dishes coming to the middle of the table.

"People share and people join you ­— it's a social way of eating.

"I enjoy tapas and something like this is different to normal restaurants."

Last month, the previous owner of Mangiamo, Vassilis Vassiliou announced he had sold up after 25 years which came as a shock to the customers.

Hakan is excited for May 17 when he will welcome customers into the the new and fresh Mangiamo, when indoor hospitality is allowed to relaunch under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown.

He added: "I have had a very positive reaction from the previous customers. I have had so many people call up and book because they are excited to try the new tapas dishes.

"This is my new opportunity, my new destiny and I am very excited.

"I am excited to bring this new concept to people."

The outside of the restaurant has been painted blue which Hakan said is very traditional in Spain and they are currently finishing off renovations inside ready for re-opening.

The restaurant will be an 'all you can eat' starting at £14.95 per person and you choose a selection of dishes from the menu to share.

Mangiamo Tapas will be open seven days a week, Monday to Friday from 5pm until 10pm and Friday to Sunday from 12pm to 11pm.