New Nando's opens at Southwater creating 37 jobs

The restaurant, in the new Southwater development, opened yesterday, creating 37 new jobs.

The chain, famous for its Peri-peri chicken, seats 126 diners, with an extra 48 seats outside.

Jason Fellows, regional managing director of Nando's said: "We're thrilled to finally open the doors to our new Telford restaurant."

Meanwhile, live music and a day of entertainment and activities will mark the official opening of the £250 million Southwater development next month.

The day of celebration will take place at the site from 2pm on Saturday, October 18, with food and craft stalls, a live music stage and dance and entertainment from a number of street theatre artists.

Celebrations will finish with a bang when radio presenters and pop stars Sam and Mark take the stage at 6pm, counting down to a grand theatrical opening ceremony with an underwater themed procession of giant fish lanterns and music around the lake, culminating in a fireworks display just before 8.30pm.

Mike Everitt, the winner of Telford & Wrekin Council's Telfie competition - where people were encouraged to take a selfie in front of Southwater's new features - will push the plunger which will start the lantern parade and firework display.

Council leader, Councillor Kuldip Sahota, said: "Southwater has already proved a huge success with thousands of visitors to the Southwater One building, lake and new restaurants and cinema.

"We have been delighted by the response from our residents and their enthusiasm for the new development.

"The official opening next month will be a time to celebrate what we've achieved and for everyone to come and have a fun day out and enjoy everything that Southwater has to offer."

Mr Everitt, 29, an IT project manager, from Dawley Bank, said: "It is quite exciting to be honest, all of us knowing we have actually won something and Southwater is an exciting new thing for Telford so it is great to have a chance to be part of that."

Southwater's new facilities will also be open on the day including the 11-screen IMAX Cineworld, ice rink, tenpin bowling and Mecca Bingo plus restaurants such as Bella Italia, Mimosa, Harvester, Chimichanga, Pizza Express, Nando's and Zizzi's.

Yesterday (Tuesday, September 23), it was announced that one of the planned restaurants Wagamama had pulled out of the site - a decision reportedly made as part of a national review of all of the chain's new openings. The vacant premises will instead be taken over by Coal Bar and Grill.

Southwater is the first part of a £250m regeneration of Telford town centre and will soon be followed by a £200m regeneration of the Telford Shopping Centre.

The Southwater development is a public/private sector partnership aimed at creating a vibrant night time economy in Telford town centre and raising the area's as a major regional destination.