Herrington, is changing its image.

Manager Mr. Odillio Angeli said yesterday that prices will be lowered slightly and the restaurant will be slightly more casual than with its previous owners.

The restaurant will also have a special lunch club which gives patrons every sixth lunch free up to $10. The menu will remain virtually the same with a few changes, like carbohydrate specials, and low-calorie dishes.

Mr. Angeli, a triathlete who represented Bermuda in the World Championships, said people are much more health conscious about what they eat.

"We're trying to emphasise a more healthy way of eating,'' Mr. Angeli said.

"We'll be offering specials for athletes and people who want low-cal meals.'' Mr. Angeli joined Loquats after working for four years for the Little Venice Group at the Harbourfront Restaurant, where he started as a waiter and worked his way up to the wine steward and relief captain waiting, filling in for the maitre d' in his absence.

Mr. Angeli said the new owner has kept the staff on, adding that those who held charge accounts with previous owners will be able to continue using them.

"Business so far has been pretty steady so far,'' he said. "We've averaged about 40 lunches and 40 dinners each day.'' Mr. Herrington, who formerly owned Sovereign Jewellers in Hamilton, bought the restaurant from Gourmet International. Gourmet International, which owns the Hog Penny, Fisherman's Reef and Cock and Feather bar/restaurants, has three shareholders -- Mr. Tom Carr, Mr. Don Dunstan and Mr. Marcus Dier.

Mr. Carr said the company had not actively sought a buyer for Loquats.

Instead, a number of potential buyers had approached Gourmet International, even though the business had not been advertised for sale, before Mr.

Herrington made an acceptable offer.

"We had a lot of people interested in buying it and we decided to sell it,'' Mr. Carr said. "It gives us an opportunity to concentrate on our other businesses.'' Mr. Carr said the recession had not prompted the sale, adding that Loquats was doing well financially.

Loquats was purpose-built by Gourmet International, opening for business in 1986. The restaurant seats about 80 people.

The restaurant will have slightly different hours of operation, from 11 a.m.

to 1 a.m. daily, and will be serving late lunches until 4 p.m. daily except Saturday.

NEW IMAGE -- Manager of Loquats Bar and Grill Mr. Odillio Angeli, pictured, said the restaurant, which opened in 1986, will lower its prices and offer a more healthy choice of foods. The restaurant was recently bought by businessman Mr. David Herrington.