THE owner of a new town centre venue wants to create Bolton's answer to popular Manchester tiki bars.

Kahiki Hideout will open in Bradshawgate on July 22 after a £100,000 redevelopment of the site, which used to house Lush bar.

Tiki bars are themed venues which specialise in selling cocktails, especially rum based drinks, featuring decor inspired by a tropical cultures.

Bar owner Tim Wetjen, aged 24, who also works as a solicitor, hopes to replicate the success of Manchester city centre bars such as Hula bar and Liars Club.

The venue will be open from Wednesday to Sunday, with Mr Wetjen saying that 10 to 15 staff will be taken on to run the bar.

It will run over two floors, with the first being opened on July 22 and the second being unveiled during the August bank holiday.

It will allow for 670 revellers over both floors.

Mr Wetjen and those behind the venture have experience providing catering for the food and drinks for weddings, but this will be their first bar.

He explained that it has taken a lot of work to get the site back into working order, with it having being derelict for about a year.

Mr Wetjen, from Worsley, said: "We have had to gut the place, it needed a total rewire. But we are very excited to open later this month."

The decision to open a bar in Bolton was simple, Mr Wetjen says, as he did not want to locate the bar in a city centre.

He said: "We didn't want to go straight into the city centre, and wanted to start out in a town.

"Bolton is a town that's not too far from us so it fitted well.

"There is a lot going on in the town, but I feel that the nightlife can be improved."

As well as cocktails and themed nights, Mr Wetjen says the bar will hold different events during the week to attract punters, including classes to learn how to create cocktails.

He said: "We want to show people how to make cocktails, and our staff will use flame throwing to create them.

"But we are also going to be able to host buffets, parties and weddings, and also quiz nights and beer pong games.

"We want to do something interesting and something different for Bolton."