BOLTON-based The Chinese Buffet is hoping t open its eleventh restaurant by Christmas.

The new site is is in Speke, Liverpool, and director Peter Wu said he is delighted.

The Chinese Buffet was founded in Bridge Street, Bolton in 2006, and still has its headquarters in the town.

The Speke restaurant will be an addition to the company's portfolio which also includes sites in Wigan, St Helens, Wakefield, Halifax, Wrexham, Blackpool, Bury, Huddersfield and Darlington.

Negotiations for the Liverpool restaurant have taken more than a year. It will be on the former Damon’s site which was a popular eaterie for Liverpudlians for more than 25 years and renowned for free birthday meals and trademark ribs.

A planning application has been submitted to extend the restaurant to more than 10,000 sq ft, creating a seating capacity for more than 350 guests.

Mr Wu added: “We are delighted to have finally acquired this site. This has definitely been one of our most challenging ones to negotiate. There was strong interest from other parties and on more than one occasion the deal fell through”

Along with the purchase of the site, the company has also acquired an additional 76 employees from the previous employer, taking the total number employed by the group to over 500 employees.

Mr Wu said: "We are planning to open in November, just in time for Christmas. We are very lucky to have a strong and experienced team waiting in the wings for when we do”