THE town centre’s hotly anticipated new food court is back on track – with only three empty units remaining to be let, bosses have revealed.

A number of new restaurants will be opening in the Brunel Shopping Centre’s new flagship foodcourt before the end of the year, while discussions are underway with a further three retailers, leaving just a further three units left to be filled.

The announcement comes after several setbacks left The Crossing without a full roster of restaurants, with work on the project running over schedule after an initial opening date of spring this year was slated.

Portuguese restaurant and delicatessen Taste of Portugal will open in the new food court next month, followed by dessert parlour Desserts and More, and a second branch of Triple Two Coffee.

Desserts and More is the latest venture from Brunel mainstay Sweets Galore, which will relocate next door to the new business when it opens in late October.

The new Triple Two will serve breakfasts, light lunches and a take-away menu when it opens in The Crossing in early November.

David Hodgetts, co-owner of Triple Two, said: “It’s been an absolutely amazing year for us.

“Our new brand, 222, has been really well received, so much so that not only are we expanding our Swindon presence into The Crossing where we will have the space to serve even more food, but also we are in the process of opening franchises in Bristol, Nottingham and Glasgow.

“Our brand is based on serving exceptionally good coffee and freshly made natural food.

“Our success so far shows there is a real desire for good quality, handmade food and drink.”

Sweets Galore owner Anne McCullock said: “We are nervous and excited about opening our new venture, my son Ian will own Desserts and More so it’s still a family run business.

“Sweets Galore has been in Swindon for 10 years and we thought it was time to go a bit further, we think there’s a need for nice desserts shop in Swindon.”

Sweets Galore will move and reopen on Oct 9, Desserts and More will open in late October.

The 16,000sq ft food hub will also be used for Halloween events and the escalator to The Crossing from Canal Walk is now complete.

James Raspin, the FI Real Estate Management’s head of asset management, said: “We are delighted to welcome these new businesses to The Crossing and it’s great to see local entrepreneurs developing their ventures with us.

“There are now only three remaining units left at The Crossing with 85 per cent of the new venture either let, with the legal teams or under offer.

“Whilst we acknowledge the unfortunate delays that the project has suffered, we’re delighted that The Crossing is now coming to life.

“We hope to announce the names of three well-known brands soon, once all the legal paperwork has been finalised.”

The Crossing was originally supposed to open in June but work on the scheme suffered a significant setback in May when its main restaurant provider suddenly went into administration.

CPL Food Group Ltd had signed up to take on five of the 11 units there but the company faced serious financial difficulties and administrators were called in earlier this year.

The company was due to run Burger King, Mexican street food restaurant El Taco Loco, Roosters Southern Fried Chicken, Real Cafe, and The Street Food Kitchen.

Since then, the food court’s first tenants - family-run tea rooms McCtaffs and healthy fast food outlet Eggelicious - have opened and served many customers.