A NEW caf restaurant has opened thanks to help from UK Land Estates.

Rosa Lena's is on the ground floor of Nexus House, on the corner of St James Boulevard and Westgate Road, in Newcastle.

The Mediterranean-style caf restaurant serves Greek and Italian cuisine

The 1,732sq ft split-level premises provides a caf area on one level and the restaurant area on the higher level.

The operator of the caf restaurant is Issam Makarem, who previously worked in hotel management at the Gosforth Park Hotel, and has owned similar restaurants in London.

Phil Moorin, of UK Land Estates, said: "The location of Nexus House is ideal for this kind of caf restaurant due to the massive regeneration taking place in this part of Newcastle.

"It is situated close to Newcastle's Theatre Village and Grainger Town and will benefit from the growing cosmopolitan caf culture surrounding this popular area of the city."

UK Land Estates has provided the exclusive high quality design and fit-out for the restaurant.

It includes a fully-tiled kitchen, a stainless steel and cherrywood bar area with a solid granite work top, and high grade marble floor.

Red Box Design Group was appointed to provide interior design services.

The restaurant has facilities for about 80 diners and has created about 15 jobs.