A BAR is set to close its doors for good, with an Italian restaurant chain poised to move in to take on the landmark site.

Owners of the Andalusian bar and bistro on Warwick Road in Carlisle have announced they are to close their business on May 2.

The closure paves the way for Prezzo to take over the running of the distinctive city centre building after they were granted planning permission for change of use from Carlisle City Council.

Bosses from the chain confirmed to the News & Star they wanted to open up a restaurant on the site but insisted negotiations were still ongoing. In a statement on the bar’s Facebook page, management then broke the news of the closure.

They wrote: “This has been a very difficult decision because we know that we are one of the busiest bars in Carlisle with amazing customers and friends who have supported us over the past six years.

“We have been made an offer that was too good to turn down and made the decision it was better to leave when we are on top and the business is booming.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been on this journey with us – customers, staff, suppliers – you have all been amazing and you have all made the Andalusian the place it is today.

“So, we have six more wonderful weeks together and it will be business as usual right to the end.

“We look forward to seeing each and every one of you and creating a few more memories.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being with us on this amazing journey.”

A Prezzo spokesman said: “We are very pleased to have been granted planning permission.

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“Our aim is to open a Prezzo restaurant on the site, however, negotiations still need to be completed.”

In January the company asked the city council for consent to change the use of the premises, currently a tapas bar, to a restaurant.

It would open 11.30am to 11.30pm every day and create the equivalent of approximately 30 full-time posts.

It is also applying for listed building consent to make some internal alterations.

If the plans come to fruition, the restaurant would seat 166 people in total, split over the ground and first floors.

Prezzo has previously said it would take about 12 weeks to convert the city premises ready for opening.

The company first confirmed its interest in Carlisle last November, when it applied to erect new signs at the Andalusian.

Prezzo, which has 200 restaurants nationally, is known for taking over old buildings of historic value.

The Andalusian, which opened in December 2009, is in a grade II listed building in a prime city centre site.

Formerly The White House pub, it was bought and restored by Barnaby Bowman. Together with now wife Tracey, the couple transformed it into one of Carlisle’s most popular eating and drinking venues.

The top floor is also used for events and private hire.