MORE lights began to go on at Regent Circus last week with the opening of Ask Italian and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and now another restaurant has followed suit in quick succession.

Coal Grill & Bar, bringing chargrilled cuisine, will open up next door to the Italian restaurant this afternoon.

The restaurant and cocktail bar hybrid is one of many Coal franchises set to open in the next 12 to 18 months, as its success story rumbles on.

Swindon will be the 10th location to host Coal and the first inside in Wiltshire, with nearest neighbours located in Bristol and Gloucester.

Thirty full and part-time jobs have been created as a part of the opening.

A spokesman said: “Coal Grill & Bar is delighted to be opening its newest restaurant and cocktail bar in Swindon’s new £100m Regent Circus development.

“This brings the group up to 10 nationally-spread restaurants and is a very welcome step for us into Wiltshire.

“We already operate successfully in Bristol and Gloucester and have been looking for an opportunity to bring the concept to Swindon.

“We’re delighted to have created 30 full and part-time local jobs and look forward to welcoming many new customers into Coal which sits right opposite the new Cineworld multi-screen cinema. Coal’s roll out continues with five new openings scheduled for later this year.”

Future openings listed on the group’s website include Bedford and Bromley.

Coal will bring the tally of trading units at Regent Circus up to four, after Morrisons opened last October.

Nando’s, Prezzo and Cineworld are all expected to open next week, leaving two units and a kiosk vacant.

“Featuring primarily fresh food cooked to order together with our well known all day two-for-one cocktail offers, Coal will be open from breakfast until late in the evening,” said the spokesman.

“We have a clear brand strategy to provide, where possible, fresh, locally sourced food and offer exceptional service to every guest.

“Coal Grill & Bar continues to excel in the fast-paced casual dining market, gaining guest loyalty and becoming known as the providers of a fantastic experience.”