A Middle Eastern restaurant will offer free samples to celebrate its opening tomorrow (Saturday).

Ugarit, a Lebanese grill in Cross Church Street, will open its doors for the first time at 1pm.

The restaurant, which has taken over the former Your Move estate agents, hopes to bring something new to the town centre street after the unit stood empty for around four years.

Syrian owner Ghassan Bateha relocated from London to open Ugarit, having worked at the Lancaster London hotel where he learned the tricks of the hospitality trade.

First look at Ugarit restaurant on Cross Church Street, Huddersfield. Ghassan Bateha (right) and Youssef Abu Mijanah (2nd left) with staff preparing for the opening.

He said: “We’re very proud to open here. We have been through a year of working to open the restaurant and we’d like to add something different to the street,

“Tomorrow people can visit and try some of the food for free.”

The restaurant will feature an charcoal grill and diners will be able to watch their food being cooked.

“It’s not just about the food,” Ghassan added. “We want the service to be great too — a good experience for customers.”

The building, which is Grade 2 Listed, has undergone a major refurbishment, with the front door moved and wooden windows refurbished.

The restaurant opening has created around 10 new jobs.