THE long-awaited PizzaExpress at the Outlet Centre has officially opened, bringing 30 new jobs.

The new restaurant, which can seat 120 diners, has a team which includes eight pizzaiolos and 22 waiters and waitresses and opened to food lovers yesterday.

An estimated 1,600 kilos of dough will be used in the first month as the team prepares to serve up 5,000 pizzas and 3,000 portions of PizzaExpress’ iconic Dough Balls.

Andy Proctor, manager of PizzaExpress Swindon, said: “We have a beautiful new restaurant and can’t wait to show it off to our customers.

“We have a friendly and enthusiastic team who are looking forward to welcoming everyone over a delicious pizza.”

Each PizzaExpress restaurant is individually designed – often using well known places, people or historical events from the area as the basis.

The Swindon restaurant is situated in the renovated listed building of the Great Western Railway works. Timber, blackened steel, rich leathers and industrial lighting run throughout, with private dining areas having the appearance of railway booths, equipped with vintage rail carriage storage racks and mood lighting above. And imagery of train rivets and metal fret cut screens give the appearance of train tracks.

There is also 25 per cent off their first meal for every Swindon Advertiser reader (see picture above) or click here for the form to print out (opens in a new window).

The restaurant runs free visits for local primary schools, turning the kitchens into classrooms.