Nestled down Guildhall Street off the city’s main shopping street is a building which was home to one of the most infamous restaurants in the city.

Tiggis was a rite of passage for most Prestonians, be it a birthday celebration, an anniversary meal or the place you went to fuel up before a night out for many students.

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Open since the 1970s it met its end during last year and has been empty until just under a month ago.

Chris Maughan, 34, who runs a number of restaurants in the city and in Blackburn, has taken it on.

Rebranded as part of his A Mano restaurant he’s spent a considerable sum giving the dated interior a facelift.

He said: “When the agent rang me to tell me about the property then I couldn’t resist. This is one of the biggest restaurants in the city.

“I remember coming here when I was a kid. The garlic bread, the Italianess of it with Leno and the team.

“But, I think it hadn’t changed with the times. We’ve given it a new look to match the A Mano in Blackburn and looked at what Preston needs.”

With the ability to seat 140 people the restaurant was already attracting a steady number of couples at lunchtime when we visited.

Mr Maughan, who also runs Theatre Street Bar and Grill and used to work at Moka in Fishergate, said they had already adapted their menu for Preston.

He said: “We’re off down a side-street and there’s the issue of price. Our Blackburn restaurant is right by the Cathedral as part of the new look area there.

“Preston diners are different and we needed to ensure the menu had a lot of reasonable options price wise, not skimping on quality though, as people come here for such a wide range of reasons.

“Be it a celebration or a quick lunch out, we know we need to be able to deal with all of it. Monday’s for example we’re running a lot of deals.”

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He said a team of 15 had been recruited to run the restaurant including head chef Allen Powers, who has been chef at a number of restaurants in the city over the years.

Mr Maughan said the revamp had seen the kitchen area opened up to allow customers a better look at what’s going on.

There’s also been work done to the bar downstairs to add extra seating to it.

Three weeks in since opening and Mr Maughan said he’s happy with progress.

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He said: “It was quiet for the first fortnight as it’s taken a while for people to be confident we are open, as the restaurant had been shut for a while.

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“Preston’s restaurant scene is in a good place I think.

“And with all the new flats opening down the road and in Winckley Square then we’re hoping to see more people down here too in the coming months and years.”

Have you been into A Mano? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below

Clarification: An earlier version of this story stated Chris Maughan had a stake in Moka in Fishergate. This is incorrect. Mr Maughan used to work at Moka. We apologise for any confusion caused and the article has been amended.