A NEW late-night trendy bar and restaurant has opened in Leigh.

The Oakleigh, in London Road, has launched and is offering a new restaurant, cocktail bar and evening bar.

The venue is offering people a place to enjoy a “nice meal and a good night out”, as the restaurant and bar transforms into a nightclub style venue in the late evenings.

The Oakleigh has opened at the site of the former popular Bellini Bar and Brasserie, which closed earlier this year.

It is being managed by the same company as Bellini’s - the McManus Pub Company - which also runs Mariners Court, on Leigh Broadway opposite the Grand Hotel.

Jamie Walker, 44, general manager, said the new business venture is something unique where people can spend a whole evening.

He said: “We are offering vibrant dining at The Oakleigh.

“We have a fantastic American-style menu that we are very proud of.

“Our menu has steaks, burgers, a brunch menu and a huge selection of cocktails.

“The restaurant serves food from 10am and our last orders for the kitchen are at about 9.30pm.

“We also do food that can be eaten with hands, known as holds, including our burgers.

“The business has started well and since we opened we have been really busy.

“We have been very well received so far.

“What I would do is encourage people to book a table with us, when they wish to visit.

“We also do drinks packages for the booths we have inside.”

Mr Walker said the business is open seven days a week and he described the decor of the venue as well designed, sleek and very on trend.

There are two bars, a booth area, and a chill out area too.

The venue manager said he is aiming to create a good atmosphere while playing great music.

Minor changes were made to the exterior of the site, as well as a complete revamp and makeover of the inside ahead of the bar and restaurant opening.

The pub was initially granted planning permission for minor work, including changing the ridge height of the roof over the front extension, in July 2016, adding other conditions in January 2017, before work initially begun on the revamp in January this year.

The London Road site homed the hugely popular Churchills, before the restaurant, bar and club moved to Southend to continue its success until closure in 2014.

Prior to that, it was used as a clubhouse for the Westcliff Rugby Club before gaining pub status when Churchills opened.

The opening follows a number of other new venues across the Southend area, including Caddies in Southend and Ravens also in Southend.

For more information, visit theoakleighbar.co.uk