One of the co-owners behind Swindon's newest restaurant has revealed it will be bringing a unique concept to the town. 

Sat Nijjar, is launching Funky Grilla in Regent Circus alongside two business partners – Kenzo72’s David Lai and Siam Thai’s Marc Stow.

He hopes it will help breathe new life into the town centre complex, which has been hard hit by restaurant closures and that of the Morrisons supermarket since it opened in 2015.

“We’re doing something totally different to what’s known in Swindon," said Mr Nijjar. 

"It’s going to be Korean barbecue themed. So there’ll be barbecues and meats and veg will be brought out and you cook your food at your table. There’ll also be world tapas and exotic pizzas.”

He added that the inspiration came from a trip to Texas, where he visited a similar type of venue and thought it would be a great idea to bring it back to the UK.  

“Me and my two partners were away in Texas a few years back," he recalled. "We went to a similar sort of venue and theirs was solely Korean barbecue and it was such a fun evening. We had such a good time and wondered if it would work in the UK. 

"So, we thought we’d bring it to Swindon and try something different. This is something totally new.”

Mr Nijjar hopes that Funky Grilla will be a fun experience for groups and families in Swindon, reflected in the name he and his co-owners chose.

He said: “We were just sitting down and want to come up with something that doesn’t have to be associated with anything specific, but also sums up the atmosphere and the mood we’re going for. We want it to be upbeat and fun.

“There will be a cocktail bar and up-to-date music, we hope to have the occasional live house DJ. We’ve got the cinema there and the Battle Bar is going in next door, so it fits just right with that.”

ASK Italian, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Coal Bar and Grill have all closed down at the venue but Mr Nijjar is confident his restaurant can buck the trend.

He said: “The Battle Bar, I think, will bring a lot of excitement to the area and also a lot of footfall. 

“Also, people are wanting to get out more than ever and Funky Grilla gives them an experience that they’ve had in the area before, so I’m very confident it’ll be a success.”

Work on the new restaurant started in May, with branding and signage now visible if you walk past, and it will be opening its doors to the public in mid-August. 

The Boom Battle Bar franchise next door will feature axe-throwing, crazier golf, table tennis, American pool, karaoke, virtual-reality booths, and augmented reality darts.