WORK is under way on a swish new bar in Huddersfield town centre.
Number 70 The Retreat has been conceived by Julia Procter and Matthew Turner, who met while working in sales for a merchant bank.
Both were disillusioned with their jobs and quit to start their own business.
The new bar will be next door to upmarket venue Lounge 68 in John William Street - but Matthew says there will be no rivalry.
"They concentrate much more on food while we concentrate more on drink," he said. "Hopefully, people who go in there to eat will drink with us and vice-versa."
Matthew, 25, who lives in Leeds, said: "We have designed it as a place where we would like to go ourselves."
They were inspired to choose Huddersfield after househunting for 28-year-old Julia.
She eventually found a luxury apartment in the 1535 The Melting Point complex on Firth Street and moved there in December.
Matthew said: "Having noted the large number of new luxury apartments in the area we felt there was a gap in the market for a cocktail lounge or bar.
"We realised a lot of people were going to Leeds or Manchester for a night out.
"Hopefully we can give them somewhere to go in their own town."
Building work started in August and is expected to finish on September 24.
The couple plan to hold an opening night for family and friends on October 8. The venue will officially open the next day.
Julia and Matthew have appointed Mark Heaton to help manage the bar.
And being an employer rather than employee is proving attractive.
Matthew said: "It is easier to be your own boss. It brings a different kind of pressure, but you don't mind bearing it for your own goals."
