120 jobs offered

Former sausage maker Richard Lazenby is putting £3m into converting the Old Police Station, Durham City, into a restaurant, bistro, coffee house, micro-brewery and bar.

Work on the scheme, which will bring the Victorian building back into use after many years of standing empty, is well under way.

But at the start of the month Mr Lazenby, former chairman and founder of Teesside-based Mr Lazenby's, suffered a setback.

He hoped the city's licensing panel would approve restaurant licences for the building's two upper floors and a pub licence for the ground floor.

But the magistrates granted only the restaurant licences and said a technical problem on the pub licence application had rendered it "misleading".

Mr Lazenby still hopes to open the complex, called Cathedrals, in November and is re-submitting the application for the pub licence, which is again likely to be opposed.

He is looking to take on 120 workers including waiters and waitresses, coffee house serving staff, a cocktail server, wine waiter or waitress, bar staff, commis chef, parking attendants, kitchen porters and washers.

Mr Lazenby said: "Cathedrals will provide an entirely new concept in customer service, within a completely original working environment. We're looking to fill these vacancies with candidates who demonstrate both professionalism and enthusiasm as well as a keen interest in long-term training and career development."

The licensing panel is to consider the application next month. It rejected the original after Durham Police lawyer Chris Southey argued that the wording did not explain exactly what was planned.

Residents, local churchgoers, Durham University and the city's police opposed the original pub licence bid.

The City of Durham Trust has welcomed the plan, saying it will help to preserve an attractive listed building and provide a facility that is needed in Durham.

For more information about the jobs call (07775) 801470.