A NEW Scottish tapas restaurant is due to open its doors in Dunfermline next month.

Christies, who already have a location in Falkirk, announced their plans to take over the old Bella Italia premises in Fife Leisure Park earlier this year.

They have now set an opening date of Friday June 3, and already have more than 800 covers booked in.

Co-owner David Blackwood said: “We are just putting on the finishing touches now.

“What was there was lovely but it didn’t suit what we wanted to do.

“We have re-done all the walls with feature panelling and have put in a stainless steel bar and LED lighting.”

The restaurant also features two so-called “celebration tables”, the names of which have been chosen by Dunfermline residents.

“We have already run one competition which named one of them as the ‘Peacock’ table,” David added. “I wasn’t aware of the peacock significance in Dunfermline – so that was great.

“We are doing another competition on our social media where people can name the second table and the winners will be able to use it whenever they like.”

Being involved with the community has been important to both David and his business partner Tom Molloy.

Their Falkirk establishment already supports Strathcarron Hospice, with 50p from each sale of Haggis Bon-Bons going to the facility.

The pair hope to get behind more Dunfermline charities upon the restaurant’s opening.

They already have staff training at the premises, though say recruitment has been difficult and that more will be needed.

“We are creating 20 jobs at a time when they are badly needed,” David said.

“Recruitment has not been the easiest – especially for chefs – we are still looking for another six.

“We have the body of the staff and there are enough to open the doors, but we might need to use some from Falkirk down the line.

“We have been speaking to the college and have been trying to think outside the box.”

The eatery is currently waiting on their alcohol license to come back before they can officially open to the public, but their main menu is already drawing interest.

“We have some newer items that are different to those in Falkirk,” he continued.

“Not everything is of Scottish origin, but it all has a Scottish theme.

“For example, we are doing a sticky Irn Bru chicken wing, we don’t want to be gimmicky, it is the same as making any other sticky sauce, just reducing down the liquid.

“The chefs are training in Falkirk just now and will be full time in Dunfermline from next week.

“We are also doing a cod fish finger with cod which has been landed on the west coast.

“We cut slithers off a slab and cover it with a crumb topping.

“We don’t want to be perceived as fancy – just call it a good old fish finger and see what the reaction is.”

Christies will also cater for vegan and gluten free diets, with several of their ‘Wee Yins’ and ‘Big Yins’ plates available.