A popular bar and restaurant franchise has chosen Hexham for its first North East site.
Loungers plc, the West Country-based café/bar group, is gearing up to open Muro Lounge at the end of August 2023.
The Loungers build and design team will transform the former Argos site on Fore Street and management will be looking to hire 20-30 people for different roles.
Muro Lounge will be open all day, every day for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, including full kids’, gluten-free and vegan menus, served in a relaxed, welcoming space.
Particular attention will be paid to families with a selection of games, books, colouring pencils and pads on offer.
There will be a full menu, high chairs and baby-changing facilities for little Loungers.
Gemma Irwin, Community Manager at Loungers, says: “We’re so looking forward to opening the doors of Muro Lounge at the end of August.
"We hope our family-friendly environment and top-notch food and drink offering will prove popular with local residents.
“We’re passionate about integrating genuinely into the communities we serve so we’re looking forward to meeting everyone and to playing our part at the heart of Hexham’s food and drink scene.
"Anyone looking for a space to host events or groups should pop in once we’re open, we’d love to hear from them and see what we can do to help.”
Thrilled with the announcement of the new business opening, Mayor Derek Kennedy said:"It is so exciting to see the plans.
"I know it will be great for the younger generation, as well as those with kids as the plans look like it’s a very easy-going environment.
"I can see it being very popular and would help bring the buzz back in Hexham.
"Upon hearing all the closures of businesses recently, I really think this is exactly what Hexham needs and it will be in a prime location on the high streets.
"As we have seen the high street is ever changing with many closures, but I believe this will be strong enough."
Excited about its location, he adds: "The Argos site has been left for a lot of years, so it is about time something is done with it, and I am glad to see big plans for it.
"It is going to be great for the while community and can help bring Hexham to life, especially with tourist seasons."
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