AN 'ICONIC' Lyme Regis venue is set to be transformed into a cocktail lovers' paradise.

Regent Cinema, in Broad Street, was destroyed by a major fire in 2016 but question marks over its future have remained since.

It was believed that the space could be turned back into a cinema - but a west Dorset vodka company has stepped in to take over the town centre venue.

Beaminster-based Black Cow will soon be opening the Black Cow Saloon on the site, a vodka espresso bar.

Paul Archard, the company's co-founder, said the space will see the 'worlds of coffee and cocktails blend seamlessly', celebrating the 'exceptionally smooth' vodka Black Cow creates at Childhay Manor, which is made with milk. 

Classic cocktails, long cocktails and beer and cider are available 'for the less adventurous', Paul said, while there will also be a shop selling Black Cow goods and antique cocktail equipment.

Those wishing to try their hand at cocktail-making can also benefit from master cocktail classes.

"It is an absolutely iconic site for all of us locally and after the tragedy of the fire it is really nice to be able to use the foyer at the front," said Paul.

"What we are intending to do is a cocktail espresso bar, where coffee bar meets cocktail bar.

"We are looking forward to serving coffee in the morning and then doing some delicious cocktails."

Paul said that drinks will come in all different 'sizes and types' while there will be a 'modest' snack selection for those wishing to eat.

Black Cow has a temporary licence to take over the space but it is hoped this will be made permanent. 

"We are excited about doing different things that are fun for everyone," he added. "We will develop as we go."

An exact opening date has not been fixed but Paul hoped to throw open the doors to Black Cow Saloon over the next few weeks, run by manager Guy Chittenden. 

"We have got our distillery near Beaminster and we really enjoy people trying our vodka and educating people about sustainability and what goes on locally," Paul said.

"We really want to champion other brands because we are a really creative area. I have been looking at a few venues and this one came up, so we just jumped on it."