THE latest restaurant to open in the Market Place's historic Victorian vaults launches on Friday.

Nando's — the chain famed for its Portuguese-inspired Peri Peri hot sauce coating — is located in the refurbished Vaults at Market Place shopping centre.

Until now, diners wanting a "a cheeky Nando's" have had to travel to the branch at Middlebrook Retail Park in Horwich, which was expanded in February 2014 due to booming business.

Nikki Wilson-Cook, the manager of Market Place, said: "We're very excited about Nando's opening in our shopping centre and we're absolutely delighted to have them.

"I and my staff have been asked on an almost continual basis about when the restaurant is going to open."

Like the Middlebrook branch, the town centre eatery will serve Halal food.

Nick Robinson, regional managing director for Nando's, said: "We’re really excited to be part of Bolton’s beautiful Market Place development.

"We’ve built a stunning restaurant to complement the unique, historic location and can’t wait to welcome the public inside."

The South African business is the flagship store of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the old brick vaults in the basement of the former market hall by building owner the Moorgarth Group.

It received more than 200 applications for the 30 new positions of hosts, cashiers and grillers.

Nando's becomes the third tenant to move in post-refurbishment after Italian restaurant chain Prezzo, which opened on March 18, and the Great Ale At The Vaults bar, which opened on March 23.

Burger chain Gourmet Burger Kitchen is due to take up residence while the names of the other occupiers have not been divulged yet.

Work meanwhile continues on the centre's The Light cinema scheduled to open later this year.