The venue has been restored to its original 1905 structure and then turned into a dining space.

A new chapter dawns for Tamworth’s first library in the shape of a stunning new high end restaurant opening this week. Paparazzi, the former Carnegie Centre in Corporation Street, is opening on Friday, October 14.

The restaurant claims: “Paparazzi brings a new, unique, gastronomic and sensory awakening restaurant experience to Tamworth. Our venue oozes with opulence fused with culinary excellence and unmatched hospitality. Our menu is Mediterranean with a twist, serving prime cuts, natural graded international beef, specialising in the finest Wagyu meat.

“Blossom themed ceiling with modern and contemporary elegance for an intimate ambiance, dimly lit floral decor for a relaxed atmosphere which will be an extravagant place for any special occasion. Experience an enchanting night that comes to life as the evening progresses, making it a venue hard to leave. Paparazzi is the ideal spot to dine so set a date, tell your friends and family and prepare yourselves for an unforgettable social experience.”

The venue has been restored to its original 1905 structure and then turned into a dining space. Built as Tamworth’s first library at a cost of £2,000 thanks to the generosity of Scottish American steel multi-millionaire Andrew Carnegie, the venue was taken over by the borough council in 1917.

Now more than £500,000 has been spent to make it into the Mediterranean restaurant with a twist of Asia which will host live entertainment, weddings and private parties.

Owner Jitu Miah said: “I would like to thank the thousands of people enquiring about our restaurant and patiently waiting on the opening date. We are very excited about serving each and every one of you. We are very close to opening now.

“I hope people appreciate the ambience, the food, the décor. A lot of effort has gone into it, it has been really hard work from all of us.”

Asked how it all came about, he told us: “Taking on this project is such an honour. To have such a beautiful place under my construction, I fell in love with the building. Having a building which was Tamworth’s library, given by Andrew Carnegie, and I am keeping its character.

“The pandemic came along. I had the support of my family. Due to some of our products originally coming from Russia, which we boycotted and cancelled, it hindered the process. They are now coming from Istanbul and Dubai.

“The pandemic, the economy, these issues, because I love the building so much, I always said I would find a way as long as I have the support of the local people which we do have.

“Our concept is we are Paparazzi and the customers are the celebrities, that is my son’s idea. We will have a red carpet. He wants to make people feel important, they are celebrities to us and we hope to serve them as best as we can in the near future.”

Mr Miah, whose family owns restaurants across the country, added: “My family has been in Tamworth for a long time; we know the clientele and we feel there is great potential.

“I do believe this is something that Tamworth really needs and we want to do something really unique here.”