A NEW £1.2 million bar and pub will open in Burnley after one of Britain's largest leisure chains decided to consolidate its investment in the town.

Luminar Leisure, based in Luton, already owns Chicago Rock Cafe and The Works Nightclub. It has now hand-picked Burnley to launch one of its rapidly-growing Orange House outlets in the former nightclub Mean Cat Daddies.

The Hammerton Street-based unit will be the fifth in the chain and the furthest north to date when it opens on August 31.

The pub's popularity has already been so great the company will double the number of Orange Houses in the next 12 months. The new outlet will create 30 new jobs and regional manager Chris Teague believes it will bring something very different to the social scene.

He said: "Unlike many modern brands, Orange House is based on the atmosphere and approach of a traditional public house, backed up by the innovation and quality of a leading chain. It is not a nightclub. Music is at a level which encourages conversation and we have built a strong after-work market at our other units.

"We are looking for suitable sites across the UK and Burnley has been identified as a good place to open. I am sure it will be one of the best units in the chain."

"Our main points of attention are good food, drink and service. We also major on sporting events, usually showing them on a large screen, and serving customers at tables."

Mr Teague is now interviewing for the jobs and said the standard of applicants was very high.

He said: "People have been very positive about the concept of Orange House and everyone from unit manager to bar staff is itching to open for the Burnley public."