Nando's set to open its doors in Wirral (From Wirral Globe)

Nando's set to open its doors in Wirral

4:54pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Stephanie Cureton

RESTAURANT giant Nando's is set to open its doors in Wirral as part of a multi-million pound scheme.

The popular chain, which specialises in chicken dishes, will launch at the Croft Retail and Leisure Park next year, if plans are given the go-ahead.

It is part of a £7m facelift of the leisure area of the site to include a new Harvester restaurant and a makeover of the Odeon cinema’s entrance.

The project, which will create 145 new jobs, comes after park owner’s Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) were granted permission to revamp the The Croft, while bowling alley The Bowl was given the green light to relocate.

Councillors went against the recommendations of officers last April who feared the changes would take much-needed business away from Birkenhead town centre.

But committee members believed it was a "win-win" situation for South Wirral residents who use the park for their shopping needs.

Bromborough Bowl later re-opened in nearby Bassendale Road last October.

And now an application to open homeware store Dunelm Mill, which would act as the scheme's 'anchor tenant,' is to go before Wirral Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

Other changes featured in the plans are improvements to existing pedestrian and cycle routes from New Chester Road.

USS fund manager Fergus Egan said: "Subject to planning permission for the current application being granted in February, we would expect to start construction over the summer and the 145 new permanent jobs at the Croft to be in place later this year and early next. 

"A new puffin crossing in the park by McDonald’s would be in place this autumn – we are committed to installing this crossing early in the programme.

"New pedestrian walkways, suitable for disabled people and parents with buggies, through the retail and leisure car parks, would be installed shortly afterwards. 

"We would expect the new cinema frontage to be complete early in 2014."