A vintage tea room and bistro has opened in a former pub in Blackburn following extensive renovations.
The Olde Cotton Mill Bistro Tea Room, based in Shear Brow, has seen the traditional furnishings in the historic former pub brought back to life.
The building had housed The Clove restaurant in recent years after the Hole ith Wall pub closed.
Shirin Zinga who has launched the venture said she wanted to bring something "inspiring" to the town after visiting a number of popular tea rooms in the North of England.
She said: “There have been new restaurants and eateries opening up in recent years but I think we have lost sight of what makes our town great.
“We wanted to bring back some of the traditional English foods that people love so much.
“I visited a lot of tea rooms in the Yorkshire area and thought it would be really good to open something like this in Blackburn.
“Our motto is ‘Out with the new and in with the old’.
The menu features a range of staple English foods some like shepherd's pie, some with a South Asian twist.
As well as a range of freshly baked scones and cakes there are a variety of hot and cold drinks to enjoy a lunch, an afternoon tea or even just a cuppa with friends.
Special guests joined family and friends at a VIP night ahead of the official opening this weekend.
Shirin said: “We wanted to make it a relaxing and comfortable place to come for tea and snacks throughout the day for families and couples.
“The interior has been completely renovated and we have stripped back the bar area and other distinctive features and restored them to their former glory.
“Once you step inside you are taken into something quite unique and different for this area.
“A garden area features among other things the famous red telephone box some of us grew up seeing on street corners.”
The 40-seater tea room has parking for 15 vehicles and can also cater for special occasions and small parties.
The owners are hoping to attract local companies to host their conferences and meetings on the second floor.
Shirin added: “One thing we have been keen to do is reward the local community so you find our food is all sourced from local firms.
“It is traditional and local in all aspects and we can’t wait to welcome diners from across the county to visit us.”
The Olde Cotton Mill Bistro Tea Room is open from 9.30am until late daily.
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