A NEW Lebanese restaurant is opening at Regent Circus.

Lamaya Kitchen and Bar is an independent business and will occupy the unit vacated by Gourmet Burger Kitchen unit in November 2018.

Owner Michael Mahdi said: “I believe I can do well at my property.

“Lebanese food is very fresh and healthy. It’s all done on site, there’s no microwave or anything.”

The restaurant is preparing for a soft opening on February 6 in order to train new staff but will have a grand opening a few weeks later.

Mr Mahdi is hoping his unit will be more than just a place to go and eat.

He added: “I’m hoping to put in a shisha terrace outside and we will hopefully have some belly dancing entertainment in the evenings.

“I want to bring people in from all over and we’ll even have a cocktail bar upstairs.”

It will be the first Lamaya restaurant but Mr Mahdi is hopeful it will be successful enough to open more.

“I’m taking a risk so we’ll see, but I’m quite confident,” he added.