Two budding entrepreneurs have returned to their home city of Norwich to open an alternative food and wine bar that also sells real ales.

Daniel Swift Gibbs and Josh Cadwallader, both 26, spent the years after university travelling the globe and sampling some of the world's cuisines.

And they are now using some of their culinary experiences to try and make the new city-centre business, called Appleyard and Co, in Exchange Street, a hit.

They are hosting an official opening party tomorrow and Mr Swift Gibbs said: 'We hope there's a market for something a little bit different in Norwich. It's an alternative place for young people to go to, other than Prince of Wales Road, or wherever, without being the kind of upmarket wine bar which is very pricey. We are something in between.

'We are both 26 and this is the type of place we would like to go to. There are a lot of places directly aimed at students in Norwich where there's very much a heavy drinking culture, but, maybe, not so many places for people our age. It's a place where we would like to go to, and hopefully other people will as well'

Mr Cadwallader spent time in Spain after university and his business partner visited New York, and Mr Swift Gibbs added: 'Quite a lot of our menu is based on a fusion of New York deli-style sandwiches and Spanish-style tapas, but we are doing it with local food.'

The young businessmen took over the building, which was a former spa and had been empty for several months, last November, and renovated it before opening this month.

As well as being a dining area, the upstairs part of the bar is an art gallery, and different artists will be exhibiting there monthly.

Are you opening a new business in Norwich? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk