Gin and burger time!

MORE than 150 guests partied into the early hours at the opening of another new bar and restaurant in the town centre.

The TriBeCa burger, champagne and gin bar on the corner of Westgate hit the ground running with a private party at the former Square One bar and club which has been derelict for several years.

But it was a close-run thing as joiners, electricians and staff scurried around to get ready in time and managed it with just minutes to spare as the final bits of sawdust were dusted away and the glasses given a gleaming finish.

The project is the brainchild of six successful Huddersfield businessmen including ex-bank manager Mark Edley, of independent financial advisors, New Leaf Financial Services, based in Northumberland Street and professional gambler Richard Ward, who runs Huddersfield-based horse racing syndicate BGC Racing.

Richard, 36, said: “It’s been a rock ‘n’ roll kind of time recently. I’ve bought two racehorses, I’m opening a restaurant, I’ve bought a lovely house in Edgerton and best of all I’m going to be a dad for the first time!

“We are all friends and decided that it would be good to put something back into our town. I did look at the old Eddisons building but this is an iconic, listed building and after three months of hard work here we are.

“Although, inevitably, we have had a few problems along the way, I think everyone has done a fantastic job and, let’s be honest, every lad wants to open his own bar. I think we are all feeling quite proud.

“Four of the partners are massive Town fans and we have very close links to the club. We’re hoping defender Christopher Schindler will officially open it shortly and we’re going to offer customers a special Schindler-burger.

“Every month we’re looking to have a different-themed burger based on a player at the club. So, for Aaron Mooy, for example, there will be an Australian-themed burger and so on.

“I’m really looking forward to our doing a Boothy-burger, based on Town legend Andy Booth.

“And we will giving a donation to the Town Foundation in connection with this.”

Richard Chapman, another exbank manager, who has been appointed head chef along with his wife Julia who is going to be front-ofhouse, said: “The budget has gone beserk! It’s been a very difficult project with it being a listed building but we have got there in the end.

“It was derelict, so, of course, there have been all kinds of unanticipated expenditure.

“But the partners thought it was a unique opportunity to bring something new to Huddersfield town centre.

“I’m really, really excited. We’ve got some great staff including the town’s top barman, Tom Baxter and a brilliant mixologist, ‘Pres.’

“We have more than 60 covers and will be open seven days a week with a late opening at the weekend.”