A US style smokehouse restaurant will create up to 60 jobs and breathe life into a former pub when it opens in North Wales in March.
Hickory’s, which has successful restaurants in Chester and West Kirby, Wirral, has bought The Ship pub in Rhos-on-Sea which closed last year.
Renovation work started at the end of November and the firm is now set to start recruiting.
It is the latest quality eating venue to open in the region – and will launch just a month after chef Bryn Williams opens an eaterie in the nearby Porth Eirias watersports centre on the Colwyn Bay prom.
Project manager Gary Carter said: “We spent time in the region trying to identify a site in the Colwyn Bay/Llandudno area because we felt there was a great demographic here for the restaurant.
“We had spent a day in the area and not found anything ideal and were having a drink at a place near Rhuallt Hill on the way home.
“An old guy got talking with us and suggested the Ship site.
“We decided to come back the next day and look at the site and it was perfect, both in terms of its location and also the space available, we were very specific on what we wanted.
“Work started at the end of November.”
The core construction team on the project has come from the Chester area but the firm is using plastering and joinery workers from the local community.
Once completed the restaurant will accommodate nearly 130 diners inside and the same amount outside with covered areas warmed by outdoor heaters.
There will also be a cinema and play area for children.
Gary added: “We have not scrimped on quality. We have learnt from previous projects.
“In Chester we initially put in a cheap floor, it lasted 18 months and we had to replace it and close for three days. We have learnt that it is best to pay more for quality as this will pay off in the long term, also this time we have the money to invest.
“The investment here is substantial. As well as serving the local community we also hope to do well with visitors to the area and bring more people here.”
Jennie Grimes, marketing and PR manager, said: “I know the area well from visiting with my family and we have been amazed by the reaction from the local community to us coming here, we have had so many messages of support.
“Our close neighbours tell us about when the Ship garden would be full of people eating and we want to re-build that reputation as a venue.
“Our staff are passionate about what they do, some staff have been to Louisiana on road trips to research drinks and food and come back with great ideas. We encourage them to be innovative.
“We will initially take on between 50 and 60 staff to start up, we are holding recruitment days and working with the college down the road over training.
“A core team of three will come here initially with the future core team for North Wales going to Chester to train up and learn all about the company and how we work and if they like it.
“We run busy restaurants and have high standards, most respond well to that.”
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