HUNDREDS of diners will be able to try the new world buffet restaurant at the former Ikon nightclub.

The nightclub closed in January last year due to plummeting trade but is now set to be brought back to life as a restaurant serving cuisine from across the globe.

The Higher Bridge Street restaurant, which is set to open in October as Cheers, will be able to seat more than 300 diners in one sitting.

As part of the refurbishment, there will be a food court on the former dance floor and a food island near the kitchen on the ground floor.

The balcony on the first floor will be transformed into a waiting area, bar and function area.

It will serve Chinese, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Italian and Spanish all under one roof.

The inside is currently being renovated by restaurateur Michael Shek, who says he thinks there is a demand for international eateries in Bolton.

Mr Shek, who already runs two restaurants in Warrington and Stockport, said: “I thought Bolton would be a great place for my new business because it’s a big town with a big population and I think there’ll be a real demand for it.

“We’re renovating it at the moment and it’s a big job but it is very exciting for people in Bolton.”

The announcement of the new restaurant was welcomed by Bolton Council chiefs last week, who said the town needed to attract more family restaurants.

Keith Davies, director of development and regeneration for Bolton Council, said: “Part of our town centre strategy is to encourage more family restaurants into the town centre and a world food buffet would be welcome in the context of improving that offer.”

Earlier this year, a regional planning organisation recommended that Bolton town centre should develop more family restaurants and enter-tainment, including a cinema, along with new offices.

Details of the new restaurant were released following a police inquiry into a hoax Facebook page claiming the venue would reopen as another nightclub.

A page called “Club Koko” was taken down after falsely advertising vacancies for staff.

The Ikon building has a rich history, starting as the Palais de Dance - see our feature exploring its past here.