Fish, chips and sweet music

Maloney's Diner in Flush Place will be transformed into an 'acoustic cafe' on the first Friday of every month starting this week.

The initiative came from Maloney's employee Chontelle Turner who enlisted the help of her musically minded mate from the Emmanuel Church, Neil Guiney.

34-year-old Chontelle from Mourneview told the 'MAIL': "I got the idea from my friend Clara in Cafe Eden in Portadown. They do something similar and I've been over to help them out and take a look

"Me and Colin (Malone - owner of Maloney's) had a wee talk and decided to try something similar here."

Co-ordinating the musical input is 36-year-old Neil Guiney from the Avenue Road.

Neil said: "I play down in the Emmanuel Church in a band and I have another wee band that goes out around the area."

Neil is joined in his band Reedstar by Robbie Freeburn, Timmy Proctor, Nicky Williamson and Philly Emerson.

He added: "This Friday in Maloney's the line-up will be Ben Hasting, a singer/songwriter from Lisburn plus Robbie Freeburn and myself. We'll be playing a mixture of music - some of our own songs, some chart songs, and maybe songs with a Christian influence.

"It's all acoustic so it's just going to be in the background. If people wants to sit and chat they'll be able to hear themselves."

The entertainment will go on from 9pm until 11pm.

Chontelle said: "We usually close at 9pm so this is after hours. For the first few nights we're going to keep the full menu on and there'll be desserts supplied by Hazel Brennan

"On a Friday night in Lurgan there's nowhere to go unless you want to go to the pub. We're hoping to change that. It's for everyone of all ages and admission is free."