A NEW restaurant in Bournemouth town centre will open its doors in a few weeks time.

Wildwood are set to open their new eatery at the former Richmond Classics in Bristol and West House on Richmond Hill.

The restaurant chain specialises in pizzas, pasta, burgers and steaks.

And although they haven't announced an official date for the opening, they are aiming for late-November.

The venue was granted a licence last September and had originally planned to open in the summer, with staff currently being recruited for the eatery.

The Bournemouth town centre restaurant will be the chain's first in Dorset with the closest existing branches in Salisbury and Fareham.

Wildwood also has delis at several of its existing restaurants selling freshly baked pastries and breads, plus artisan products such as olive oil as well as salads and sandwiches to takeaway.

Planning permission to convert two shop units on the ground floor of Bristol and West House into a restaurant was granted by Bournemouth council last year.

The two shops and a mezzanine level have been converted into a large restaurant, capable of seating 200 people. It will open throughout the day until 11pm every night.

Bristol and West House, on the corner of Post Office Road, dates from the 1950s and replaced the Central Hotel, which was destroyed in the Second World War.

Last week, doubt was cast over another restaurant which had planned to open in the empty Bath Travel unit in Albert Road.

Base + Barley, a 'sourdough and craft beer mecca', was due to be opening at the premises, but is currently being advertised 'to let' on Ellis and Partners website.

The chain has been granted a licence but a spokesperson said they were '50/50' over their plans.

The restaurant chain's website was also labelled as 'account suspended' yesterday.