THE OWNERS of a new prohibition-era style ‘Speakeasy’ cocktail bar are promising to shake up the Altrincham scene with a grand opening in mid-October.

Emma Rostaing, 30 and her partner, Dale Lowe, 31, took ownership of the Tempest bar on Greenwood Street last weekend and have big plans for the future of the establishment.

The couple hope to take advantage of the area’s budding young professional market, attracted by the recent development of Altrincham’s Market Quarter with a ‘coffee by day, cocktails by night’ concept and all-day opening hours.

The plans involve a special side-door access point to an evening-only speakeasy area to add a fun twist to the normal cocktail bar experience.

Ms Rostaing said: “The bar in the present state is nice enough but has no identity and we are trying to do something quirky and original with it.

"Altrincham has been suffering as a town in this respect but with the development of the new market we are hoping we can help create a new scene up there.“

The pair are not phased by the challenges faced by other young business owners in a still-shaky economic climate.

Having met while working in bars in North Manchester, the two have been dreaming of turning their hand to management for some years.

Ms Rostaing said: “There was no massive gamble involved. As people experienced in the industry we feel very confident and know our clientele inside out. "There is also a dedicated body of Altrincham business owners around us who have been on hand to help out. ”

Ms Rostaing also believes that there can’t be too many authentic, independent outlets in the area. And the bar will certainly not be lacking in home-spun authenticity with the décor being sourced from heirlooms and trinkets supplied by friends of the couple:

“We are working to a pretty tight budget hence why we have been trying to raise more money for the refit, getting friends and family involved.”

The planned launch will take place on October 24, but the bar will remain open in its current guise until the end of September.