Nando’s set to open new restaurant in Coleraine

Nando’s is set to open a new branch in Coleraine later this year, taking the number of Northern Ireland outlets to seven.

A spokesman for the South African multinational said: “We are coming to Coleraine in 2022. The launch is still a few months off yet, so we don’t have all of the specific information to hand yet.”

In June 2020 the peri-peri chicken chain submitted a planning application to Causeway Coast & Glens Council to convert unit 22, at Riverside Retail Park  into a restaurant and it is now seeking a drinks licence for the former Frankie & Benny’s unit.

Welcoming the recent news, MLA Maurice Bradley said: “I would wish them success in their liquor licence application which will add another service to the Riverside offer and one that will complement the shopping service at that location.”

The news comes after the company, which was founded in Johannesburg in 1987, unveiled plans to  become Net Zero by 2030.

Colin Hill, Nando’s CEO for UK and Ireland, said: “We will be carbon neutral this year by partnering with initiatives that not only protect our planet, but at the same time change lives.

“In practice this means that when our customers eat at Nando’s, we will support projects in Southern Africa that cut carbon emissions equivalent to those associated with their meal.

Nando’, which operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 countries, s is implementing a comprehensive strategy to cut emissions:

• Restaurants in England Scotland and Wales already run on 100% renewable electricity and gas, with those in Ireland set to follow.
• The recent new menu offerings created for the reopening includes more plant-based options than ever before, enabling customers to make lower-carbon choices.
• Nando’s is working with suppliers to reduce emissions, including those associated with chicken farming, whilst also improving welfare.

Zero Carbon Forum CEO Mark Chapman said: “It’s great to see Nando’s take this bold next step in their journey to tackle the climate crisis.

“Rooted in science and based on a rigorous methodology, this is exactly the approach being suggested and supported by the Zero Carbon Forum.”