A taste of the Middle East has opened up in Blackpool, thanks to the help of the Council’s Get Started business service.



Lebanese couple Fidaa Slim and Ahmad Moustapha opened the Nour Lebanese Restaurant on Topping Street last month, following on their success from running a successful restaurant in their previous home in Belgium.

With a little help from their family that live in the local area, they have brought a touch of Middle East cuisine to Blackpool, adding to the town’s improving restaurant offer.

The restaurant focuses on traditional Middle East food, including Baba Ganoush, Falafel and stuffed vine leaves, as well as a variety of charcoal grilled meats and stuffed pastries.

Restaurant owner Fidaa contacted Blackpool Council’s Get Started service for one-to-one support and assistance to grow the businesses with marketing and online presence.

Fidaa explained: “Get Started gave me that vital motivational support that is so important in the early stages of developing your business and with support from my family I am now the proud owner my own restaurant in Blackpool.

“Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming towards my family and business; making us feel at home.”

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “It’s great to see another business get started and continue to receive ongoing support to develop their business thanks to our professional help.

“It’s really encouraging to see people choosing to live their dream, and make their home in Blackpool.

“Fidaa has spotted a gap in the restaurant market with her Middle Eastern delicacies and I wish all the best of luck in what is a difficult market to crack.

“88% of the businesses that Get Started has helped in the last two years are still operating and in some cases, doing very well indeed. That’s because businesses can still benefit from our expert advice and support even after they are up and running.”

To find out if you could become your own boss, contact Get Started on 477147 or search www.blackpool.gov.uk/getstarted.