A new bar and restaurant is to open in Workington which hopes to offer a “quirky” experience for diners.
The Garden, which will replace the closed Yours clothes shop on Washington Square, is set to open in the coming days.
Local business owner Paul McGee, who also runs The Hungry Caterpillar and Henry’s pub in the town centre, says the new venture will create between 20 and 30 new jobs.
Paul will move the Hungry Caterpillar operation into the new building, with the possibility of moving Henry’s on Bridge Street into the Hungry Caterpillar building pending the result of a consultation surrounding junction improvements at Ramsay Brow.
The Hungry Caterpillar site will remain open for events and private bookings.
Allerdale council has applied to the Government’s £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund to support the delivery of the Workington Gateway project.
Part of the scheme includes improvements to the Ramsay Brow junction of the A66 and A596 – which, if successful would see the demolition of Henry’s, the pub on the corner of the junction.
Too many empty shops
“It is right in the middle of town and we knew about the situation in the town with too many shops standing empty at the moment,” said Paul, outlining why he chose the Washington Square site.
“We got a deal on the site and we decided to take it. It’s going to be exciting, something totally different.”
Paul had hoped to open The Garden in time for the summer but delays in sourcing equipment and with the purchasing of the site have pushed the project back.
The restaurant has space for 150 seats but Paul aims to restrict the capacity to allow more space for people to enjoy their meal.
During the day the new site will use the Hungry Caterpillar menu, before turning into a more restaurant-style offering in the evening with pizzas, burgers and steak among the options.
Paul says the response from the local community has been positive. He also hopes to have live music at the establishment.
