More than 40 new jobs will be created in Preston when a new restaurant opens.
A new Chinese restaurant– The Chinese Buffet – is due to open its doors at the St George’s Shopping Centre, in the city, next month.
Part of a chain which has restaurants across the North West, bosses say this venue – the company’s fifth – will create much-needed new jobs for Preston.
Today, owners revealed the unit, in a prime position on the corner of the shopping centre, would be given a full overhaul before opening its doors to the public.
Peter Wu, managing director of The Chinese Buffet, said: “We’re excited to bring The Chinese Buffet brand to the city of Preston.
“St George’s Shopping Centre was a natural choice for us due to its prime location in the heart of Preston’s retail district.”
Renovation work has already started on the 9,200sq ft unit, which will provide three floors for Preston shoppers looking to refuel on Chinese cuisine.
The Chinese Buffet group already includes successful restaurants in Bolton, Wigan, Wakefield and St Helens.
Ken Williams, the general manager of St George’s Shopping Centre, said: “It’s been a bumper period for new tenants at the St George’s Shopping Centre with three new brands added to our line-up in as many months.
“For the last 30 years, St George’s Shopping Centre has been home to a diverse selection of independent and renowned national chains of shops and restaurants.
“The Chinese Buffet is a welcome addition.”
The news comes after the Evening Post revealed last week that Preston had been handed a retail boost thanks to recent good weather.
Keith Mitchell, who runs the Fishergate Centre, said footfall was up 5% in the week leading up to the Diamond Jubilee bank holiday.
It also comes after figures by an independent research firm revealed shops in Preston took more than £500m in sales last year, one of the highest figures in the region.
Retail bosses said despite empty shops in parts of the city centre, the figures were evidence of the start of a recovery.
Hugh Evans, of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, today welcomed news of the new opening.
He said: “This is one of the prime sites in the city centre and one of the first places you see when you approach the city from the Friargate end.
“It is great news.
“The other thing is that Preston city centre’s restaurant offer is limited, so anything that comes in to expand on that and bring new customers into the city has got to be a good thing.”
The Chinese Buffet, which bosses say will offer two fixed prices menus and special offers at weekends, is scheduled to open in July.
For more information about the new restaurant, log on to www.thechinesebuffet.com or got to the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TheChineseBuffet.
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