A POPULAR Darlington restaurant is to have a "twin" in Northallerton.

The owners of the Imperial Express are taking over a former home interiors store in the town's High Street.

About a dozen local jobs will be created as part of the project.

The cafZ/bar will be called The CafZ and will run on the same lines as the Darlington eaterie, except Northallerton will have a full licence, so customers can just call for a drink if they wish.

Imperial Express manager James Butterfield said Northallerton was a prime target area for the company.

"We feel the town is just the right place for this kind of development," he said.

Operating Monday to Saturday in what used to be the Spangled Jasper, The CafZ will open at 8am for breakfast through to 11.30, lunch will be noon to 2.30 and dinner 5.30 to 8.30, with last food orders at 8.30.

"But we won't close in between those times and food will be available all day from a separate menu," said Mr Butterfield.

A recent change of decor in Darlington will be mirrored in Northallerton, with features such as Italian limestone floors and cherry wood bar and table tops.

The CafZ will also use the same suppliers as the Imperial Express, starting off with a similar menu, plus a blackboard of specials.

Before joining the company, Mr Butterfield considered doing something himself in terms of a small cafZ/deli bar.

"I looked at Northallerton High Street and saw what there was on offer," he said. "But I then went to work at Imperial Express and the ideas went on the back burner. But we have subsequently latched on to those ideas for Northallerton."

The CafZ will also have a deli counter, offering a small selection of restaurant products for sale as take-out.

Mr Butterfield has been with Imperial Express for 18 months. Before that, he worked in the south of France, as a lecturer at Darlington college, as a sous chef at The Tontine and at an AA hotel of the year in Berkshire.

He hopes to have The Cafe open by mid-September.

"We will then be in time for the build-up to Christmas. We need that to develop our reputation for parties and occasions," he said, adding that he aimed to build an association between the Darlington and Northallerton premises.

The Cafe will probably employ upwards of 12 staff, mostly full-time with a bank of part-timers and Mr Butterfield will have an office on site.

A chef has been appointed and a restaurant supervisor.

"The rest of the jobs are up for grabs," he said. "In Darlington, many of the staff are the children of customers, which is fantastic. Parents know their children are working in a safe environment with which they are familiar."

Mr Butterfield has been in the restaurant trade for nearly 20 years and says the biggest factor in success is staff.

"In Darlington, they have built up a great rapport with customers and we encourage that. There is a lot of repeat business," he said.

"We are aware of people's needs or special requirements and are flexible in our approach. And the food is good. Freshly made to order. It is like an a la carte restaurant but done informally."

The CafZ will seat 60-70 with its kitchen upstairs. There will be disabled facilities and a cigar/after-dinner area.

"Most of this is my baby," said Mr Butterfield. "I very much want this to succeed. It is a family thing and it will have the local touch.