Popular chicken chain gets ready to hatch in Limerick

LIMERICK looks set to get its first branch of international chicken restaurant chain Nando’s.

It comes after council planners afforded conditional planning permission to representatives of the firm to fit out a unit in the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle for a branch of Nando’s.

Signage had already been erected at the entrance to the unit, 24VB in the shopping centre.

It will be located near to Kentucky Fried Chicken at the entrance to the facility which faces Omniplex cinema.

Founded in South Africa, the popular chain specialises in Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken.

According to documents lodged with local planners, dining in the restaurant will be over two floors. An entrance for deliveries to be made to the restaurant is also sought.

Nando's first opened in Ireland in 2008, and by September 2011 employed over 200 people across six restaurants in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.

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It now has 21 outlets across the island, with Newbridge in Co Kildare the only branch currently outside Dublin and Cork. Globally, it has a presence in five continents.

Earlier this summer, the firm revealed it was recruiting for an assistant manager and assistant general manager for its new Limerick store.

The Limerick Leader first revealed plans for the new Nando's restaurant in 2019. At the time, it was anticipated it would open in the summer of 2020.

But the onset of Covid-19 and the near two-year disruption to the economy put paid to these plans.

Limerick Council planners gave the development the go-ahead subject to four conditions.

These include stipulations around the hours that work can take place at the site in Crescent Shopping Centre.

Conditions were also included around linking in with Irish Water, and waste management.

A decision was due from council on Monday evening, but the verdict was made available ahead of this time.