CHICKEN restaurant chain Nando’s is coming home to roost at Dorchester’s Brew-ery Square development.

A total of 25 new jobs will be created at the 80-seat eatery, beloved of pop stars and footballers, which is set to open its doors in January next year.

Nando’s will take up a 2,100 square foot unit situated in Dray Horse Yard next to the Odeon cinema, which is set to open later this month. It is the largest town centre regeneration project in the South West.

Managing director of Nando’s south region Grant Read admitted the chain was fulfilling a long-term ambition by setting up in the county town.

He said: “We’re very excited to be opening at Brewery Square, and it’s no lie that we’ve been looking to open a restaurant in Dorchester for a while. The whole team are really excited, and we hope to offer shoppers, cinema-goers and locals a great dining experience.”

Andrew Wadsworth is director of Waterhouse, which is developing the Brewery Square site in partnership with Resolution Property.

He said: “Nando’s is a great addition to Brewery Square, helping transform Dorchester into a must-visit leisure and retail destination.”

The first element of the £100million development’s second phase is opening at the end of the month, with Carluccio’s Italian restaurant and the Odeon cinema opening their doors in Dray Horse Yard in Weymouth Avenue, while Pizza Express is to follow shortly afterwards.

Like Nando’s the Premier Inn Hotel in Pope Street is set to open in January next year while the main square will open in March and boast further big names such as Hobbs, fashion retailers Phase Eight and restaurants Wagamama, Cafe Rouge and Zizzi.

The completed scheme will boast 66 apartments, 16 shops, seven restaurants, the cinema and hotel, close-care apartments and the main square itself featuring a multi-jet fountain.

Local charity The Wessex Autistic Society is set to host the first-ever screening in the new cinema with a premiere screening of the new James Bond film Skyfall on Thursday, October 25.

Tickets for the 7pm event include canapés and drinks, cost £20 and are available by visiting twas skyfall.eventbrite.co.uk or by calling 01305 213138.

Jobs Galore At New Eateries

SIX restaurants are now confirmed for Brewery Square, with one more in the pipeline, including Wagamama, which is to create 50 jobs.

Italian chain Zizzi will occupy a 3,500sq ft unit, with a dining terrace overlooking the main square. Carluccio’s is to create 40 new jobs in a 3,264sq ft restaurant. Café Rouge will be going in the Bonded Stores and has taken a 3,100 square feet restaurant. Pizza Express will be in the Fairfield Building.