A NEW "relaxed" cocktail bar has opened in Kidderminster town centre, with plans to launch an outdoor shisha lounge in the next few weeks.

Aurora opened its doors in the Secret Garden complex in New Road at the start of the month, and co-owners and brothers Mohammad and Saeid Ghoncheh want to provide an alternative to Kidderminster's "rowdier" bar scene.

Mohammad, who has ran nightclubs and bars in the town since the 1990s, said: "We want our customers to dress smart - no trainers or hoodies - and we're aiming for a certain clientele so that it doesn't become rowdy. It's not a nightclub.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"We want people to come here and enjoy some cocktails and feel relaxed and comfortable here.

"Hopefully our customers will become friends and come back to see us again."

Aurora's drinks menu offers a "modern take on classic cocktails" including the 'Wyre Florist' and a 'Smoked Old Fashioned', and the bar will also be introducing a food and shisha menu later this month.

Mohammad said: "It's mainly a cocktail bar but we'll be selling light bar food like paninis and salads soon.

"I'm also about to open a shisha bar in the courtyard with different flavours like apple and strawberry, and we'll be selling different cakes alongside that.

"The shisha must be pre-booked so people can call us up earlier in the day and say there's a group of however many coming tonight."

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Mohammad and Saeid are also looking to hire acoustic acts to perform at the venue.

"There aren't any places in Kidderminster that cater for this," said Mohammad. "The over-25s don't really have anywhere to go, but we want people to finish work and feel like they can come here and relax.

"A lot of people are travelling to Worcester currently for somewhere like this.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

"We have a big outdoor space so people can sit here at night when it's all lit up and just enjoy themselves. Kidderminster is crying out for a place like this."

The former hardware shop cost around £100,000 to redevelop, but the owners already have plans to open a "piano room" with booths available to hire in the space next door.

Aurora is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm until late.

For more information, search Aurora at Secret Garden on Facebook.