THE operators of a popular Barnard Castle delicatessen are expanding into the shop next door to enable the return of their popular bistro in Barnard Castle.
Robert Dunbar and Simon Adamson originally set up the Corner Bistro at the top of The Bank.
However, the Covid-19 lockdowns forced them into a rethink after the cafe had to close and they adapted the business, turning the eaterie into an artisan food shop in July last year.
Pavement bistro tables have allowed them to continue serving teas, coffees and a mouth-watering array of home-made patisseries to customers on a small-scale.
Mr Adamson said: “We’ve had a lot of people asking us to bring back the bistro and when the opportunity came up to take over Oswald’s it made sense.”
They plan to relocate the deli into the former Oswald’s shop next door and return the bistro to its original site within a few weeks.
Mr Dunbar said: “The plan is still fluid at the moment, but the hope is to get things open by the end of August.
“We do have a bit of decoration to do next door and get the layout for the shop ready.
“It all looks really promising and it would give us space to increase the ranges we offer now.”
Lunch menus are already being planned but the duo is still debating about evening opening.