A RENOVATED pub has re-opened as a bistro restaurant after £1 million worth of investment.

The old Oaklands public house in Oakerside Park, Peterlee, has been given a facelift and is now known as Luciano’s Bar and Bistro.

Habib and Masoud Farrahi, two brothers who own Luciano’s and Angelo’s restaurants in Sunderland, are the team behind the new venue.

The restaurant has created 25 jobs for people in the area and opened for business on Friday.

Masoud Farrahi said: “The feedback we have been getting from local people has been very positive.

“They have been saying that the area has needed something like this for a long time.

“I do not think there is anywhere like this in the area.”

The brothers decided almost a year ago to buy the building when they were looking for a new project.

Habib Farrahi found the old Oaklands pub for sale and the pair drove around the surrounding streets

Masoud Farrahi said he could not believe the quality of housing in the area and liked the fact it is near to Castle Eden National Nature Reserve.

He said: “After a bit of thought, we decided to go ahead and purchase the building as they felt the area deserved something that matched the quality of the housing.

“Upon purchasing the building, we decided to completely refurbish it to fit in with the exquisite surrounding area, so this project was not going to be rushed.

“It has been designed to complement the beautiful estate nearby.”

While the designs and plans were being drawn up, the brothers rented the building for six months to the previous owners.

When they left, in January this year, the two brothers got to work on the building, carrying out a complete refurbishment.

Masoud Farrahi said: “A lot of hard work has gone into this. It is completely different from the bar that was here before.

“It has not been easy because work started in January and we have had one of the hardest winters we have had for a long time, but we got there.”

The furniture was picked by Habib and the brother’s good friend and interior designer Duncan Attle in Italy

The garden area is still currently still under construction, and will have a slate wall with porcelain tiles on the ground.

The restaurant will serve Italian fine food, tapas and a large selection of quality wines, gins and cocktails.

Mr Farrahi said: “No expense has been spared in trying to create something unique in the area of Oakerside Park. We would like to that everyone who has wished us well and been a part of this huge project.”