ONE of Bolton’s most well-loved Thai restaurants has moved to a new location and hopes to welcome in customers old and new.

Nam Ploy Thai Restaurant has already become well-known to diners in Bolton at its former venue on Chorley Old Road.

Now with the former site having reverted to its original purpose, the restaurant and head chef Bancha Poomcha-Em and his staff are ready to welcome to reintroduce diners to Thai cuisine at Middlebrook Retail Park, close to the the University of Bolton Stadium.

Owner Yogi Mistry says: “We are really excited to now have Nam Ploy located at the premier shopping and leisure park in Bolton, which attracts millions of visitors each year.

“Our genuine Thai chefs will be continuing to deliver quality authentic Thai cuisine with an exciting new street food menu.

“We have a prime position on the Middlebrook retail park and can cater for over 250 diners, the new location has also created a number of new jobs in the local community.”

The new restaurant boasts a spacious open plan setting including a live view kitchen area where Nam Ploys Head Chef, Bancha Poomcha-Em, known as The Don by staff and regular customers, and his team of chefs work to prepare meals.

The head chef holds a range of hospitality, catering and management qualifications including a degree in hotel management and catering and at the five star, Hotel Oriental in Bangkok.

The Don has also worked at a number of other high-class establishments such as The London Hilton.”

Nam Ploy’s previous venue was the former site of the Stanley Arms pub.

Now being based at Middlebrook Retail Park, the owners hope to attract shoppers, cinema goers and families on days out to sample the menu for themselves with parking that is free of charge.

The venue also features the Tuk Tuk Resto Bar, which also has space for live entertainment from local bands and performers and which will offer a wide range of drinks.