A bar that is set to close, with a national chain waiting in the wings to take over its site, will hold a final party for customers.

The Andalusian on Warwick Road in Carlisle city centre is to host the End Of An Era bank holiday party on Monday, May 2.

Its owners, Barnaby and Tracey Bowman, are selling up and Italian chain Prezzo is poised to open up on the site, creating 30 jobs.

The bar has been a popular fixture on Carlisle’s nightlife - and is set in one of the most distinctive buildings in the city centre.

The couple sent out an invite on Facebook.

It said: “It will be a sad day but one that we wanted to spend with you all because without you our success wouldn’t have been possible.”

The closure paves the way for Prezzo to take over the running of the building after the chain was given the green light for change of use from Carlisle City Council.

A spokesman for the chain said: “We are very pleased to have been granted planning permission.”

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

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

The firm has 200 restaurants nationally and 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 Mr Bowman.

Together with his wife, 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.

The farewell party, which starts at 2pm, will include a hog roast, drinks and live music from Schwing, Andy Whitaker and Carl Hull and Andy Gregory from CFM DJing upstairs.