Loungers chain reckons Old Town Hall complex is the perfect place

New Oldham Town Hall development. PIC shows restaurant units being fitted out etc.

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A CHIC and contemporary cafe bar chain has been confirmed as the newest tenant at the flagship Old Town Hall restaurant and cinema complex.

Loungers is promising to offer a vibrant family-friendly experience at its Oldham restaurant, describing Oldham Council's town centre development as "the perfect location" for its concept.

The restaurant is the latest confirmed tenant at the development, which will see the Grade II listed building transformed into an Odeon cinema with 800 seats, seven screens and seven restaurants, with the centre set to open later this year.

Loungers was started by three friends who opened their first bar in Bristol in 2002 and since then it has rapidly expanded with around 80 restaurants now open or planned across the UK, including in Didsbury, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Cardiff.

Each Loungers location has its own unique name and the Oldham restaurant will honour the town's industrial heritage with the name "Molino Lounge", with Molino the Spanish word for mill.

The venue will serve brunch, main meals and authentic tapas, alongside vegan, gluten-free and children's options, in a restaurant designed as "retro home from home" with dramatic art work, oversized vintage sofas and statement light fittings.

In keeping with the contemporary cafe theme, there will also be a selection of board games, daily newspapers and a free book swap facility available.

Jean Stretton, Oldham Council Leader, said: "We're absolutely delighted to have secured Loungers as our latest tenants for the Old Town Hall."

"This is another high-quality and sought-after brand and Molino Lounge will make an excellent addition to the choice on offer to families in our town centre.

"Molino Lounge are joining fellow tenants Nando's, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Costa Coffee at the Old Town Hall and interest in the other units remains very strong. Talks are ongoing with more potential operators and further announcements will follow.

"As our flagship regeneration scheme, the success of the Old Town Hall is vital to our aspirations for Oldham.

"The development is creating a huge buzz of excitement among residents, business and visitors alike - and I'm constantly being stopped in the street and asked when it will open.

"We are set to make an announcement to confirm the exact opening date before the end of this month - so watch this space."

The Molino Lounge team say they are looking forward to becoming part of the community and will support local groups and initiatives wherever possible. They are also planning to hold regular fundraising events as part of Loungers' commitment to making a difference to the local area.

A community notice board will be available for those wanting to publicise events and a book swap area will be kept well stocked.

Mike Butler, operations manager, Loungers, said: "Oldham is the perfect location for our Lounge concept.

"There's already a thriving and vibrant community and we're really looking forward to playing our part.

"Residents will be served by the very best - our new team is passionate about hospitality. Our excellent pre-opening and 'on the job' training programme ensures our staff will be at the top of their game."

The owners have applied to serve alcohol from 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Wednesday and from 10am to midnight on Thursday to Saturday at the restaurant, which will boast 3,272 sq ft of interior space and a 743 sq ft terrace enjoying views across the new public space at Parliament Square.

There is also an application for late-night food to be served from 11pm until 11.30pm during the week, and from 11pm until 12.30am from Thursday to Saturday.

Throughout the Old Town Hall development, painstaking efforts have been taken to preserve as much of the venue's heritage as possible to deliver a unique historic setting putting it in a different class from other sites.

Situated right at the heart of the retail core, adjacent to Parliament Square, the Old Town Hall development it is also just yards from the Oldham Central Metrolink stop on Union Street and restaurant units to let range in size from 2,500 sq ft to 6,000 sq.