SCHOOL CHILDREN OFFICIALLY OPEN LUDO LOUNGE IN SOUTHBOURNE-ON-SEA

12th July 2010, 3:19pm

The Mayor of Bournemouth, Councillor Barry Goldbart was joined by local children from Pokesdown Primary School to officially open Ludo Lounge.

The £500,000 eatery – which is operated by Loungers, the Bristol-based national group of food-led café/bars - is located on Southbourne Grove and has created 20 new jobs for the area.

The ex-Woolworths site has undergone a massive transformation that sees the creation of an impressive double-height space as you enter the building and the introduction of a large first floor roof terrace - the latter of which has been achieved by removing a large section of roof to the first floor.

Alex Reilley, Loungers MD said: "We are very excited about opening Ludo Lounge – not only are we breathing new life into a building that once played such a prominent role on the high street but we are also opening our first Lounge in the area and creating much needed new jobs. This is easily our most ambitious build project to date not to mention our largest investments in terms of development but we believe Southbourne-on-Sea is a great area with masses of potential."

To mark the official opening of Ludo Lounge and highlight its family friendly initiatives, pupils from Pokesdown Primary School were set a colouring in project. The Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor Barry Goldbart selected the winning picture, completed by Sana Malek aged Seven years.

Sana won a birthday party for her and five friends at Ludo Lounge. In addition, each member of class three donned a white chef's hat and an apron to take part in an educational but fun cookie baking and decorating demonstration - led by Loungers executive chef, Theo Guy.

Richie Collins, General Manager of Ludo Lounge, said: "I am extremely proud to be given the opportunity to run Bournemouth's first 'Lounge'. Given the current pressure on everybody's finances it's a true delight to be able to provide quality food and drink at affordable prices in a comfortable, stylish, & slightly quirky setting. I've got an excellent team behind me and we can't wait to get started!"

Ludo Lounge will be open everyday from 8am (9am at the weekends) to 11pm (midnight Thurs – Sat) with food being served all day until 10pm.

Loungers operate 14 café bars throughout the UK and locations include Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Plymouth, Reading and Southampton.

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alan loake

16 July 2010 at 9:26pm

looks great! i'll be sure to visit it soon. would be great to jazz up southbourne a little bit.

Anne-Marie Darby

05 September 2010 at 1:24pm

Ludo Lounge is an excellent place for meals. We did Bed and Breakfast in Southbourne and Ludo Lounge was a perfect venue for meals. Good menu, friendly staff, excellent meals. One thing stood out child friendly with games provided for them to use. Already recommended this venue to relatives who have just brought a holiday home in the area. Keep up the good work.

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