AN EYE-POPPING mural on a wall in Bournemouth Triangle is signalling the opening of a new Mexican restaurant.

Owners Trevor Hill and JJ Adams claim their establishment will be “something Bournemouth hasn’t really seen before” when they open later this year.

Called Ojo Rojo (pronounced ‘Ock-o Rock-o’), the restaurant promises to deliver tasty, healthy Mexican street food in a unique, comfortable setting across two floors.

The pair have recruited friends from Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and local artist Krishna Malla to help bring their concept to life.

Trevor explained: “I lived in Mexico for a year and the food available out there is nothing like what you can get back here, which set my mind working. I came up with an idea and pitched it to JJ.

“When I came home, the idea grew into what it is now and we’re incredibly proud of it. The menu, the drinks and the atmosphere is going to be quite new for Bournemouth.”

JJ, who also owns Smokin’ Aces in the Triangle, added: “We’ve really tried to keep it local by picking people we know do good work to help us. Krishna of Technicolour Moon is doing the mural and our friends from AUB are helping us out with an art installation for upstairs – a massive tree canopy that will have a very romantic, Midsummer Night’s Dream style.”

The restaurant will be spread over two floors with traditional seating upstairs and a café/bar area downstairs. It will serve Mexican-inspired street food with a contemporary twist.

“We’re keeping away from the word authentic,” Trevor said, “because we’re trying to bring something new in. It’s kind of a worldly interpretation of Mexican street food – the kind of tacos that you would get on the streets of Mexico City but with a slightly more refined, modern feel.

“Our emphasis is on fresh, locally-sourced produce, cooked to order and packed full of flavour.”

The pair maintain the Triangle is an “independent, artisan place” that is ready for a restaurant like theirs.

JJ added: “I think everyone thinks they’re making something unique, but we genuinely feel what we’re creating is going to be different for Bournemouth.

“We can feel the town changing and we know it’s the right time to do this.”