A NEW restaurant in the centre of Windermere is set to open its doors to the public in the early summer.

Food entrepreneur Ian Dutton is refurbishing the historic Lighthouse Restaurant, which he has bought for £1.65m, and plans to rename it Brown Sugar.

A new website is also being created to bring all of his brand’s business interests under one platform.

Mr Dutton took over management of The Village Inn Bar and Grill in Bowness-on-Windermere, in 2011, and opened The Pig in Windermere in 2016.

Enabling users to access information quickly and easily, the new website provides a thorough overview of the organisation’s Lake District-based bar and restaurants, with visitors able to view menus and book online.

“2017 was a tremendously positive and award-winning year for us and we’re building on that success with the opening of Brown Sugar and the launch of the new website," said Mr Dutton, a former head chef at The Miller Howe Hotel. "I am thrilled with the new branding, which is strong and modern. The website, which delivers on all levels, is easy to navigate and reflects our values and vision.

"We are experiencing tremendous growth and success and a more professional brand and website will enable us to move forward while also bringing a wealth of additional benefits for our customers. These are exciting times for us and indeed, for the local community, with the upcoming re-launch of an iconic Windermere business."

Visit www.dutton-cuisine.co.uk.