A POPULAR restaurant has undergone a huge £100,000 revamp inspired by a colourful period of Chinese history.
The refurb at the Mandarin in Clifton Street, famous for its crispy spicy beef enjoyed by musician Jack White from the White Stripes when he performed in the resort, was completed with a 30 per cent contribution from Blackpool Council.
It is the third refit since the venue was opened in 1961 by Michael Wan, godfather of current owner Pauline Lai.
She said rather than the customary red, black and gold colour schemes of many Chinese eateries, she took inspiration from the colourful Tang Dynasty period with a little bit of 1930s Shanghai thrown in too.
Pauline also owns the Lytham Mandarin and both have this month won the Taste Lancashire Highest Quality Assured Award.
She said: “We would like to thank all our customers and we have been delighted with their reaction to the refurbished restaurant. Our recent Taste Lancashire Award is very much appreciated and we look forward to developing new menus and tastes using locally-sourced products to ensure the Mandarin’experience continues to grow with the best that Lancashire has to offer when given that oriental twist.”
Eileen Ormand, Blackpool’s Town Centre BID Manager said it was great to see the Mandarin flourishing.
She added: “With the pressures put on businesses in today’s economic climate it is very rewarding to have people like Pauline Lai showing confidence in the town centre by investing in the refurbishment of the Mandarin and ensuring Blackpool people and visitors can enjoy the very best of Chinese food.”