THE circus is coming to town with a new brasserie and wine bar in Darlington's market place.

Les Mooney, owner of Caf Gulp in Priestgate, Darlington, is hoping to create another thriving business in the town, called the Circus Bar.

He has taken over the former Caf Caffae premises in the town's Market Place, which has been empty for almost a year.

He said he wanted to create a sophisticated restaurant, where the upstairs of the fully-licensed premises will be a wine bar, with the brasserie downstairs.

An area outside will also provide seating for around 40 people, to create a continental style pavement caf with waitress service under a big top canopy.

"We want to create something a bit more trendy, to attract the kinds of people who at the moment probably go to Durham, Newcastle or Yarm.

"It's about creating something a bit different that we don't have at the moment in the town, it will be something a bit classier really, with great service and a good atmosphere. Like a circus, I want people to come for the atmosphere as much as the food - we are looking at providing entertainment, buskers and live bands."

Town centre manager Louise Payne said: "The new business will provide a much needed lease of life to that corner of the Market Place. It is great news - a new restaurant will bring more people to the area."

The success of Caf Gulp since it opened in 2000, inspired Mr Mooney to open the new business.

"I want to repeat the Caf Gulp idea somewhere else, but we also wanted to do the brasserie and bar, because it's closer to home and I think the town is ready for it.

"People said Caf Gulp wouldn't work, but it has and it's won awards and gone from strength to strength, I think this is less of a risk, and with the right team it will work."

Shop fitters and decorators are currently working on the premises, which is due to open at the end of May.