A new new upmarket Italian wine bar and café has officially opened in an East Lancashire town.

Carlo Graziani is bringing a taste of Italy to Clitheroe with his new venture called Shawbridge, on Shawbridge Street.

Carlo already owns and operates The Parlour, a cocktail bar on Westgate in Clitheroe, and hopes to bring his business knowledge and skills to the new venture.

Shawbridge, which officially opened at the end of March, is described as an intimate wine bar and café that also offers a delicatessen counter selling traditional Italian dried goods, including exclusive pastas, cheeses, cured meats and Italian wines.

Carlo has recruited four waiters and bar staff to help manage the new the café which has capacity for 50 people.

Before establishing the venue, Carlo operated a temporary ‘pop up’ bar at the same site over Christmas.

Named ‘Miracle on Shawbridge’ it proved popular during the festive period, encouraging him to create a permanent venue there.

Carlo, who is a cocktail mixologist, is often called upon by hospitality venues and brands across the North West and beyond to create bespoke cocktails and train bar staff.

Discussing his new venture, Carlo said: “My vision for Shawbridge is to create a cosmopolitan place with an Italian feel to attract a discerning clientele.

“Clitheroe is a town with a very diverse mixture of people and I see Shawbridge as the ‘go to’ for people to meet and enjoy a drink all in a continental and friendly atmosphere.”

Carlo secured Shawbridge’s premises licence with help from the leisure and licensing team at Lancashire-based law firm Harrison Drury solicitors.

Partner Malcolm Ireland, head of the leisure and licensing team, previously helped Carlo to secure his premises licence for The Parlour.

Malcolm said: “Carlo is genuinely talented at what he does.

"He’s well-known in the industry and has made a great success of The Parlour, which has been in operation since 2016 and is a popular and unique offering in the town.

"I have no doubt that he will have the same success with Shawbridge and I look forward to supporting him in future ventures too.”

Carlo said: “Malcolm was instrumental in helping me secure the necessary premises licence for Shawbridge.

"I hope to open similar outlets in other towns and will be calling on Harrison Drury again to support my future ventures.”

Shawbridge is open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 11.30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10am to 10pm on Sunday.