NATIONAL restaurant chain Nando’s has confirmed it is aiming to open its new restaurant in St Helens town centre this spring, in a move that will create dozens of new jobs.

The Star revealed a fortnight ago how the Portuguese-themed chicken restaurant firm had drawn up plans to develop an empty bar at the corner of Chalon Way West and Water Street.

The two floor corner building, which a decade ago was occupied by Yates’s and more recently the Hour Glass, adjoins the Cineworld cinema and Running Horses pub.

This week Nando’s confirmed it plans to open the 110-seat restaurant in May, creating 36 jobs.

Simon Haigh, regional managing director of Nando’s commented: “We’re extremely excited about opening our new restaurant in St Helens, and I know the team can’t wait to get started and open its doors to the public.

“The St Helens Leisure Park site is a fantastic location, and will offer locals, cinemagoers and visitors a great experience.”

Nando’s has enjoyed considerable growth in the UK in recent years, and the Star’s story of its forthcoming arrival to St Helens prompted excitement among social media users.

A shortage of big name ‘national’ restaurants is often levelled as a criticism of the town centre.

However, Nando’s arrival and further investment around Chalon Way could boost the night-time economy by drawing in more visitors.

A new McDonalds will be built shortly next to the Range store, creating 65 new job, and the £4m redevelopment of the Park Inn represents further investment in that section of town.

The next step for regeneration leaders is to attract leisure companies to the St Thomas’ Square site, which has been earmarked for redevelopment for a decade.