ONE of Blackburn's best-known restaurants is to change its name after being sold off.

Tiggi's, in King William Street, is to be re-named Ristaurante Italiano as part of a bid by new owners to broaden its appeal.

Hilton Leisure, run by Brinscall man John Hilton, bought Tiggi's nearly two years ago and, along with his other recent acquisition, Gibee's in Northgate, he said he has spent around £500,000 in Blackburn.

Until its sale, Tiggi's had been part of a family chain, with branches in Preston, Bolton, Manchester's Trafford Centre, Lytham St Annes and Solihull.

Mr Hilton said: "Tiggi's is possibly the best-known restaurant in Blackburn and it has an ambience that attracts people, which we don't intend to change.

"But we have started introducing offers to get more people coming in that other Tiggi's venues aren't doing. We don't want to cause confusion and part of the agreement when I bought the business was that I would change the name.

"I think we have found a name which says exactly what we do and hopefully we can attract more people."

Mr Hilton's firm - which is not associated with the Hilton Hotel Group - also includes the Papa Luigi restaurants in Euxton, Accrington and Wigan, as well as Carlo's in Colne, Franco's in Longridge, and Verdes in Lancaster and Eccleston.

He said he has no plants to change the name of Gibee's, which takes its branding from being on the site of the old Gibson's Sports, in Northgate.

Mr Hilton said he has slashed menu prices since taking over, and was offering a wide variety of contemporary food. He said: "I think Blackburn has real potential. People seem to think there is no money to be had here, but there is.

"I've seen a real gap in the market for good places to eat out and Gibee's becomes a high class bar after 10pm at weekends.

"People want somewhere where they can come and have a business lunch, but come after work as well. The idea Blackburn can't support that is nonsense."