Manchester foodies especially ladies who lunch - are relishing the prospect of a swish new eatery with Lakeland style stamped all over it.

Indeed The First Floor at Lakeland' will no doubt become the hottest dining spot in town when Lakeland Limited opens its 26th store at Handforth, near Wilmslow, in January 2004.

Not only will customers be able to shop till they drop in the company's latest creative kitchenware' emporium, but they will then be able to replenish their energy levels in the first floor caf with the help of award-winning Lake District chef Steven Doherty.

Lakeland could have utilised outside' catering specialists but the company was determined to keep the ideas local'. Delighted to secure Steven's expertise, they gave him free rein to be as creative with the menu as Lakeland Limited is in the kitchenware department. It sounds an exciting prospect.

"Steven grasped immediately what we are trying to do," explained Julian Rayner, marketing director at Lakeland Limited. This will be the company's first store outside Windermere to incorporate a caf, prompted partly by the fact that the Handforth development is an out-of-town site whereas all the other stores are more centrally located.

Certainly at Windermere, the caf is part of the Lakeland experience'.

"And if this relaxes the customer they are likely to come back for more," said Julian.

Steven's research has been exhaustive in order to devise a winning menu for Lakeland.

"I think we need to offer something up to date, something affordable, and something exciting for customers," he said.

Something like char-grilled tuna on fresh pasta with lime coriander crme fraiche, for example; prawn and avocado gateau with a Bloody Mary sauce; and hot spiced apricots with Greek yoghurt and honey; tomato basil filo tart; char-grilled Mediterranean vegetable plate; and a daily-changing selection of salads, grills, soups and sandwiches.

"This is something new for Lakeland and I am delighted to be part of it," said Steven.

"I think customers will come away very pleased indeed," added Julian.

So do I!

May 22, 2003 10:30