Popular food chain is set to open a third site in Newcastle city centre after taking over the site of a short-lived restaurant.
The Laundrette cocktail bar and restaurant at the bottom of Westgate Road lasted just a year before it shut last October.
Now it is understood the property, which is part of the Vita Student building and next to a new pavement area created around the Stephenson Monument, is to be taken on by chicken chain Nando’s.
The restaurant will become the third to open in Newcastle city centre, alongside locations at Intu Eldon Square and The Gate. Nando’s also has eateries at the Silverlink, Intu Metrocentre and Boldon , South Tyneside.
Neither Vita nor Nando’s would confirm the arrival of the new operator, but it is understood work could start on stripping out the Laundrette decor and replacing it with the bold colours of Nando’s branding within weeks.
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An opening date has also yet to be revealed but it is believed a raft of new jobs would be created.
In the meantime, Project Laundrette Ltd, a subsidiary of Vita set up for the Newcastle operation, has applied for a pavement licence to be transferred, suggesting new activity at the site is imminent.
