A 350-seat restaurant, cafe and bar at the Psyche department store is all part of the resurgence of Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Road, as Women's Editor Lindsay Jennings discovers.

AN ENTREPRENEUR has unveiled plans to create a 350-seat restaurant, bar and cafe at his designer department store as part of a £2m scheme.

Steve Cochrane, 45, owner of the Psyche department store in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, said the plans will create more than 30 jobs in addition to the 100 people he already employs.

The scheme will involve the partial pedestrianisation of neighbouring Garnet Street to accommodate a continental-style pavement cafe and a glass lift.

Futuristic glass pods will lead out from each floor to the lift, which will be a feature on the outside of the building.

A glass atrium will be built on the department store's top floor to take advantage of the panoramic views of the city and the Cleveland Hills.

Mr Cochrane said: "It's going to reflect the contemporary image of Psyche and will be cutting edge without alienating anyone."

The department store has won numerous retail awards, and Mr Cochrane was last night in London at the finals of The Drapers Awards - which the store won.

Mr Cochrane said: "It's fantastic news - we are delighted. It's putting the North-East on the fashion map."

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