A new city centre bar and steakhouse is one step closer to opening after a host of new job vacancies have been advertised.
Bar + Block is coming to Newcastle as part of the multimillion pound revamp of the Grade II listed former Co-operative building.
The Newgate Street property was transformed into a 184-bedroom Premier Inn in 2015, and now work to create a new restaurant on the ground floor is well under way.
The steakhouse will be open to members of the public, rather then just hotel guests.
And now numerous job vacancies for the restaurant have been advertised.
The firm is looking for full and part time bar staff and kitchen staff for the "informal, all-day dining restaurant with a large open kitchen and spectacular central bar".
The job adverts state: "Our particular passion is high quality steaks, hand cut to order. With an impressive drinks list and bar snacks menu, our customers love sharing, grazing, drinking and socialising here any time of the week."
Jobs, with a starting salary of £6.88 an hour, also come with a range of hotel and leisure discounts and 50% off food while on shift.
There are currently four Bar + Block restaurants across the UK in London Kings Cross, Birmingham, Bath, and Whitley in Hampshire, offering informal all-day dining and a ‘Butcher’s Block’ of rotating specials and an extensive drinks list.
The ‘Block’ part of the name refers to hand-cut steaks and the menu also has burgers, fish and vegetarian options. Steak and eggs is even included on the breakfast menu.
A design and access and heritage statement sent into Newcastle planners by consultant Sarah Dyer highlights the building for its high historical significance, and how works will take its cultural importance into consideration.
The document says: “The submitted proposal is to alter the central panel of the first bay to the North of the North Tower to create a new entrance to the proposed new Bar + Block restaurant and bar for hotel guests and members of the public.
“Premier Inn are keen to ensure that the Bar + Block offer has greater visibility on the street to ensure that way finding into the space is transparent and obvious.
“The space is currently the bar and restaurant for hotel guests, but is largely underused. Existing access to the restaurant is from within the building via the hotel reception, and although open to all, it is rarely used by passers by.”
