A new food and drinks venue is opening in Ambleside.

Located on the town’s old mill yard on Rydal Road, Ambleside Tap Yard is looking to offer a 'quality' service to customers.

The venue will sell a local craft beer selection for real ale enthusiasts, accompanied by an offering of cooked food including hand-stretched pizzas and gourmet burgers.

Sourced from Cumbrian breweries, Ambleside Top Yard’s beers will be drawn from six large 1,000-pint copper tanks displayed above the bar.

The establishment will also offer its own brand of beers, backers High Spirits Leisure Group said.

It will focus on a low environmental footprint, cutting down transport by up to 90 per cent and produce less packaging and waste.

High Spirits Leisure Group said the venue will create 20 new jobs and aims to open in mid-May.

However, the venue’s takeaway service, Ice and Slice, will have separate outside seating and hopes to open in April. It will offer customers ice cream, wood-fired pizza slices and beverages.

The new venue will be High Spirits Leisure Group’s third opening in the past 14 months.

Despite the industry enduring hardship recently, the group is still going strong.

Colin Monk, CEO at the group, said: “We recognise the last 12 months have been a difficult time for the hospitality industry; however, it’s also offering opportunities to expand the group with prime location sites becoming available allowing us to continue our growth plans. As usual, our offering will be quality-led with a unique environment, experience and friendly service.”

The group has spent £500,000 on the venue, which will accommodate up to 160 covers.

Ambleside and Grasmere councillor Vicky Hughes has welcomed the announcement. She said: “It is good news. It will be really good for the community.

"I think a lot of businesses have had to diversify a little bit due to the restrictions in the last 12 months, so I hope they can be successful in the town.”