New steak restaurant could create 20 jobs (From This Is Lancashire)

New steak restaurant could create 20 jobs

8:54am Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

A POPULAR town centre restaurant which closed in July will re-open as a bar and a steak house tonight.

Downtown, in the former Prosecco restaurant, could create 20 jobs in the town centre if it is a success.

Steve Hoyle, who runs the Brass Cat on Churchgate and Little Lever’s Hardy Hall, is opening the business with partner Linda Walker and Tony and Michelle Parkinson, who run the Blue Boar in the town centre.

Initially they will use staff linked to their existing pubs.

Mr Hoyle said: “We’re opening Downtown tonight for drinks and hope to have the kitchen up and running in a few weeks.”

Downtown is named after the Petula Clarke song and is inspired by the 1960s and 1970s.

Mr Hoyle, aged 51, said: “We want to cater for an older customer base and offer something Bolton town centre lacks at the moment.

“Bradshawgate has taken a massive hit in recent years.

“We want to create a different ambience and get people to enjoy the town centre the way they used to.”

It will be an English, steak-house-style menu.

Food will be served throughout the day and early evening.

Downtown will be open until 2am at weekends.

Mr Hoyle, a former Harper Green pupil, said: “Despite some businesses closing in recent years we think this area has a lot of potential with a variety of age groups, the rise in student accommodation and changes around Nelson Square, which is up and coming.”

Prosecco took over from Tiggis in 2009, which 2 had previously traded there for 29 years but struggled during the credit crunch.

Spanish restaurant La Tasca also closed this month.