CHICKEN lovers rejoice! A new Nando’s is opening in Swindon.

The restaurant will open at the Orbital Shopping Centre.

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and the centre manager Jamie Turner will be there to cut the ribbon.

Jamie said: “I’m really looking forward to it. The design of the building is completely different to any other Nando’s. It’s a new design for the company so it took a little longer to complete.

“There’s some great outdoor seating, which is perfect for this sort of weather.

“It’ll create a real buzz when it opens. It’s right next to the play park, so it should be popular with families.

“It’s the first Nando’s in north Swindon, so it should be very popular with the community and boost our night-time trade.

“We’ve had very positive feedback from shoppers who are expecting great things from it. Exciting times are ahead.”

Work began on the restaurant last autumn. Developers completed construction in April.

Since then, shop fitters have been getting the inside ready for customers.

The unit housing the restaurant also included space for mobile retailer EE to set up shop - the phone shop opened in June.

It is thought around 50 new jobs will be created - 20 more than at the Pizza Hut that used to occupy the unit before it closed last year.

Councillor Emma Faramarsi, Priory Vale ward councillor, is excited about the opening.

She said: “This is great, I love eating there.

“We have a thriving retail and entertainment economy in and around the Orbital.

“Anything that expands on that and provides jobs and competition is very welcome. It’s a really good sign that Nando’s has invested in the area.

“They’ve knocked the old building down and completely rebuilt from scratch.

“It gives people of north Swindon more options of eating out.

“I’m not sure if I can make it to the opening but I’ll certainly be supporting the business and coming down with the family at some point.”

This is the second Nando’s to pop up in Swindon following the successful launch of the town centre branch in Regent Circus in 2016.

The store opens next Wednesday at 11.30am.