'First of its kind' restaurant is set to open in Durham, serving up American small plates this spring. 

Notch, located at 96 Elvet Bridge, in Durham's City Centre, will serve up BBQ delicacies and small plates, accompanied by signature cocktails. 

The owners are hoping to open their new venue in late February or early March, with eyes set on a February 26 grand opening, but work is still ongoing within the venue to get it spick and span. 

For one of the business owners, Notch is a family affair. Emilio Arceri, one-fourth of the team of business partners working to open Notch, has been at 96 Elvet Bridge before. 

The Northern Echo: Notch, opening up in the former Tango burger restaurant location in Durham.

His father ran Melanzana Caffe and Bistro at the same location for years. 

Emilio said: "It's full circle because the building has been in the family before. I've grown up in restaurants, the industry is a real family business. My uncles have places in Teesside, Durham and Newcastle, too."

It is "all hands on deck" ahead of the restaurant's opening. 

Emilio said: "I didn't know the meaning of busy before we started doing this! Were hoping to open in late February, or just at the start of March. 

The Northern Echo: Dan, Emilio, Steven and Dean make up the team behind Notch.Dan, Emilio, Steven and Dean make up the team behind Notch. (Image: Notch)

"But, we're finding that we are in other people's hands a lot. This time of year everyone is really busy with work, and it always seems like there's someone who can't make it. 

"We're hoping to open in the back end of February, or in the first week of March." 

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Emilio will run Notch alongside business partners, Steven Bamford, Dean Saunders, and Dan Stafford. 

With Dan working as a DJ, and Dean and Steven bringing parties to Newcastle with their company Loosedays, the group are well versed in the art of events and entertainment. 

Emilio added: "We're so excited to open - there's nothing like American small plates anywhere in the North East. Some really successful places in Camden are serving similar things."