Councillor George Parish joins local children to open Pinto Lounge

The £300,000 eatery - which is operated by Loungers, the Bristol-based national group of food-led café/bars - is located on Banbury's bustling High Street and has created 20 new jobs for the area. To mark the official opening, pupils from St Mary's Primary School were set a colouring in project. Councillor George Parish selected the winning picture, completed by Ellie Stanley aged five years. Stanley won a birthday party for her and five friends at Pinto Lounge. In addition, each member of class three donned a white chef's hat and an apron to take part in an educational but fun cookie baking and decorating demonstration - led by Loungers executive chef, Theo Guy. Managing director of Loungers Alex Reilley said: "We are very excited about opening Pinto Lounge – Banbury is a fantastic area with masses of potential and we just know Pinto Lounge will thrive here. Pinto is our first Lounge in the area and we're very proud to have created 20 much needed new jobs for local people." Parish commented: "It is always good news when empty units in our town centres are taken up by new business and I wish Pinto Lounge every success for the future." "The Lounges offer proper 'comfort' food, seriously good coffee, and an extensive selection of drinks including an imaginative range of soft drinks and a decent selection of wines, beer & cider. All of this is served in a cosy, relaxed, and informal atmosphere." Loungers currently operate 16 café bars throughout the UK and locations include Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Reading, Plymouth, Taunton, Bournemouth and Southampton.