THE newest bar on Carlisle’s nightlife scene hopes to open its doors next month.

Amante Bar and Secret Garden - which will be situated in the former Royal Hotel on Lowther Street - will employ about 10 staff.

An Amante sign has gone up outside the building.

Sarah Dempster, from the bar said: “We’re hoping to have the bars, furniture fitted at the end of this month, and are hoping for a mid-August opening.

“We’re looking to employ about 10 staff at the moment, as initially we’re going to be open as just a bar, and introduce food a bit further down the line.

“We’re hoping to achieve a look of a big city bar, with something a bit different to what we already have in Carlisle, and aiming it towards customers aged 25 and over.”

The Royal Hotel closed in 2006 and has stood empty ever since.

It was once called The Royal Temperance Hotel and attracted distinguished guests to the city.

But it closed and fell on bad times so refurbishment was necessary.

Refurbishment works at the city centre site have been ongoing since 2008.

The property has been fully re-roofed and all of the windows have been replaced.

Plans for eight flats - above the bar - have also been submitted.

Amante will be the sister bar of Bocata, which is on the corner of Lowther Arcade and Lowther Street.

Access to the bar and restaurant will be via an alleyway off Lowther Street.

Work on an outdoor terraced bar area at The Halston hotel is ongoing and should be ready soon.

And work is also continuing on a new bar and restaurant in Friars Court - between Lowther Street and Devonshire Street in the city centre.

Meanwhile, legendary Hacienda DJ Graeme Park will make a return to the Circle bar in the Lowther Arcade on Friday, July 26.

The set - with support from Mike Yates and Adam Brown - will start at 8pm and run until 3am.

The dance music pioneer, who made his name at the former Hacienda nightclub in Manchester, is taking time out from his Hacienda Classical Tour to visit the Carlisle bar.

He has visited the bar several times before and has a loyal following.

Tickets are £20 and are available from the Circle bar (cash only) or via skiddle - www.skiddle.com.