By Thom Kennedy Penrith Reporter

Last updated at 12:47, Wednesday, 12 August 2009

The owners of a new café-bar and hotel are hoping their venture will bring a new style to Penrith’s high street.

Mark and Sally Ann Bowman, owners of The Lounge with manager Caroline Goodwin, left

Mark and Sally Ann Bowman have defied the recession to open The Lounge in King Street to cater for people wanting to relax and watch the world go by.

They have refurbished the hotel themselves and own the property, a former solicitors’ office, with Mr Bowman’s parents, Robert – whose brother is carriage driving legend George Bowman senior – and Hazel.

Mr Bowman said: “We thought there was a gap in the market so we have created a contemporary and almost chic bar which is a pleasant place to sit and relax.

“It gets good all-day trade, and we are pleased with how busy it’s been.

“ The clientele are people who maybe don’t necessarily go into pubs in the town, but who are happy to sit in there, have a coffee, read the paper, or come in for a cocktail,” added Mr Bowman.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback about the concept of it all.

“Although the current financial climate is not great, we thought there was scope to go forward and if the business was there we could go out and get it.”

The couple also run Penrith’s Warehouse nightclub, which draws in hundreds of party people on a weekend.

Mr Bowman added: “The Warehouse is more of a late-night venue, so we opened The Lounge for a different market. You have room for 900 people and four individual bars at the Warehouse, but this is one bar area.

“It offers more comfortable surroundings, and it’s a different scenario altogether, so we are not competing with ourselves.”

The Lounge also has 10 bedrooms and a three-bedroom apartment available as well as its bar and café areas.

First published at 11:30, Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk