By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 11:40, Monday, 02 April 2012

An Italian restaurant in Carlisle has closed but will reopen soon as a coffee house.

Vivaldi’s, on the corner of Lowther Street and Lonsdale Street, is closed for a refurbishment.

A sign in the window says it will be reopening shortly as the Latte Lounge – Cafe Italiano.

A few doors down, the former Nowab restaurant – which is closed – is to reopen as an Italian/Indian restaurant.

Abdul Harid, who owns the Dhaka Tandoori in London Road and Currymaster takeaway in Caldewgate, closed the Nowab last June but still owns the three-storey building.

He said: “My friend Nazrul Khan from Lancaster is going to open the new restaurant.

“I’m pleased because the building had been vacant for six months. It’s good news for Lonsdale Street because there are more shops opening now. Nazrul will employ local staff and use local produce.

“Nazrul has seen a gap in the market and will be exploring Indian and Italian cuisine. I think this is because some people who go to an Indian restaurant would prefer to have a plain meal, rather than a spicy one.”

Mr Harid, who is a Labour city councillor for Currock, first offered Nowab for sale as a going concern in 2008. He was seeking £365,000 for the business and the building.

The address used to house the city’s Conservative Club before its move to Spencer Street.

It includes a flat on the second floor and has seating for 76 in the restaurant.

Elsewhere on Carlisle’s entertainment scene, it was announced last week that The Beehive pub on Warwick Road is to shut later this month for a £100,000 makeover.

First published at 11:28, Monday, 02 April 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk