A Nando's restaurant is set to finally open in Wigan- years after the business first expressed an interest in opening in the town.
The popular chicken eatery will move into one of two new units being built at Robin Retail Park in June.
It is expected to open later in the year.
The firm in charge of the development, London-based Cogent BC, confirmed that it had been contracted to build a Nando's, as well as a second unit of which the owner has not yet been decided.
Work to construct the units started in January.
Leigh currently hosts the borough's only Nando's outlet.
Hopes of the chain opening in Wigan were raised when plans for a hotel and a restaurant complex, including a Nando's, were granted in 2016.
But the order was dependant on work starting within three years and the deadline passed last May.
Paul Hewitt, partner at Cogent said: “We think it is an exciting prospect to have such a highly-regarded and well-known restaurant operator coming to Wigan and I think it will improve the offer of the park for the people who shop there and those who go to other facilities and venues nearby including the football and rugby.
“Restaurants improve ‘dwell time,’ meaning people are less likely to dart in and out of a retail park if there is a chance to stop for a meal or a coffee midway through; so this has benefits for other businesses at Robin Park too.
“As far as parking is concerned, there are circulatory and congestion issues inevitably caused by the work at the moment, but these are temporary and, once the project is complete.
“Robin Retail Park will still have well over 800 parking spaces which means it remains a retail park with a very large car park."
Nando's have been approached for comment.
