The new boss of the restaurant at a city centre pub admits he faces an uphill battle to make it more of a food destination – but he's up for the challenge.

Mark Solway, who is originally from the Channel Islands, has been tasked with bringing in punters to the upstairs restaurant at the Steam Packet, in Crown Road, off Rose Lane, which has always been more of a drinking than an eating pub.

As an incentive to customers he will be offering special nights throughout the week including a 'Tennerfest', imported from his native Channel Islands, which is two courses for �10.

He said: 'We are offering fresh homemade meals six days a week serving lunch and dinner. It's a relatively simple menu but you won't be getting any Mr Kipling's or Bird's Eye here.

'We will be doing cuisine from around the world on Wednesday nights, offered with a beer of the world to complement it, and a 'Tennerfest' on Thursdays.

'We have sent out flyers to neighbouring businesses and residents, and some did not know where we were, even though they looked out on us from their windows, so we are trying to let people know that we are here.'

The 39-year-old, who lives off Unthank Road in the city, has previously worked as a temp at Dunston Hall, south of Norwich, and at the now defunct Horse and Dray pub in Ber street.

The city centre pub is run by father and son Terry and John Chalu and bar manager Nikki Newson added: 'The pub is now working under a new concept with events such as quiz nights, open mic acoustic nights, and live music at the weekends.'

As the Evening News Love Your Local Campaign has highlighted many pubs have been forced to diversify to keep punters coming through the door.

For more stories on the Love Your Local campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

Have you got a pubs story? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.