THE FIRST glimpses of a new restaurant opening this month have been released.

TGI Fridays opens its first restaurant in Bolton on March 21, four days earlier than initially planned.

The new Fridays is in Middlebrook Leisure and Retail Park in the former Next premises, next to Vue Cinema.

The pictures, posted online by Middlebrook, show the hoardings outside the premises have been taken down revealing the new signs and slick glass front.

Middlebrook Tweeted: "The hoarding is down and we have had a sneak peek into the new TGI Fridays Middlebrook and it is amazing!

"Officially opening 21st March."

Excited fans of the franchise have been licking their lips in anticipation and have been sharing their excitement online.

The restaurant can sit up to 200 people at a time and offers the signature flame-grilled ribs, burgers and grills, the new restaurant will also have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Fridays is creating 80 jobs in the area and has been recruiting since mid-January.

There are a variety of roles available to apply for on a number of different levels of seniority, with the restaurant also promising plenty of opportunities for promotion with full-training provided.

When the store started recruiting David Carroll, property director for TGI Fridays UK, said: “There has been huge demand for a Fridays in Bolton for quite some time now, so we are delighted to confirm we are bringing the legendary Fridays flavours and experience to the city.

"The restaurant will feature the very best Fridays has to offer. We’re also very pleased to be creating a host of new career opportunities for those in the city looking to begin or progress their careers in the hospitality industry.”

TGI Fridays is the latest chain to move to Middlebrook, following the likes of Card Factory, Tapi Carpets and the region's first Thomas Cook Discovery Store in late 2018.

A lot of space opened up at the retail park due to the £12million Next superstore in July.

Staff from the three former Next outlet stores were relocated to the bigger store, allowing other businesses to move in.