A RESTAURANT in Worcester is set for a radical change in concept, due to the city's "saturated" Italian eatery market.

Puccini's, which has been on Friar Street for 12 years, is set to relaunch itself as burger joint Burgerworks.

The increasing number of Italian restaurants in the city has forced the hand of owners Arvin and Therese Gautama.

As well as Puccini's, Worcester also boasts Carluccio's, Zizzi's, Galleria Italiana, Benedicto's, Valentino's and Pizza Express.

Burgerworks will be the city's first dedicated burger restaurant when it opens next month, according to Mr and Mrs Gautama.

Mrs Gautama, 54, said: “We’re sorry to see Puccini’s go but feel there’s a real gap in the market at the moment for simple, rustic burgers using good quality, local ingredients.

“There’s nothing like it in the area.

"The Italian restaurant market in Worcester has become increasingly saturated and we’ve felt for some time that Worcester needs something new and fresh, so Burgerworks was born.

"We feel very passionately about [Puccini's] but since the all the chains opened here it's really changed the market and it's become more difficult.”

Puccini's will serve its last pizza on Saturday, September 27, before reopening on Friday, October 3 in the same premises.

Burgerworks’ menu will champion local produce and comprise of burgers made from 100 per cent grass-fed Herefordshire beef, and free range lamb and chicken from H. Dayus Butchers in St John’s.

There will also be locally-sourced vegetables, artisan buns and craft beers, as well as fish, vegetarian, healthy and gluten-free options, and a children’s menu.

Mr Gautama promised the restaurant will have an "ethical and responsible approach to all matters green and environmental".

The couple have been conducting extensive research into what makes the perfect burger, making several trips to London to sample patties at cult favourites Byron, Honest Burgers and Patty and Bun.

“The burger scene is becoming increasingly popular,” Mr Gautama said.

“Burgers aren’t seen as junk food anymore – there’s an art to making the perfect burger, and it’s one that we like to think we’ve perfected.”

For more information, visit www.burgerworks.uk.

To book a table, call 01905 27770 or e-mail burgerworks.uk@gmail.com.