One of the largest restaurants in the UK is set to open at Norwich's Riverside centre in the spring.

The first of a chain of super-restaurants, known as Za Za Bazaar, opened earlier this month in Bristol ahead of a country-wide rollout.

The Bristol restaurant can seat up to 1000 people and serve more than 2,000 people a day. It is so large that diners are provided with a map when they arrive to prevent them getting lost.

It is unknown whether the new Norwich restaurant will be the same size, but The Evening News understands that it will take over both the former Norwegian Blue and Squares pubs/clubs at the complex that are currently empty.

A spokesman for commercial property experts, Birkett Long LLP, which helped open the Bristol restaurant, said: 'This is the first of what will be a chain of super-restaurants across the country, the next of which is soon to open in Norwich.

'The buffet style restaurant serves up a vast array of dishes from around the world. Diners can work their way from bangers and mash to sushi, with Indian, Tex Mex and Oriental cuisine to tickle their taste buds on the journey.

'The Bristol eatery has created many new jobs and the site in Norwich will bring employment opportunities to the city.

'The owners are currently looking for other UK sites with good footfall and locations where there are high populations of students and young families. They plan to open eight 'super restaurants' in the near future, with more to follow.

'In Norwich contracts have been exchanged and the process of obtaining licences and satisfying licensing requirements is underway.'

It's more good jobs for the Riverside complex which up to about a year ago was struggling due to the long-term closure of its two flagship venues - the bowling alley and the nightclub.

But the Hollywood Bowl reopened last December and Project nightclub opened in February this year.

John Venes, deputy manager at the Hollywood Bowl, said: 'It would be great if these two sites - Norwegian Blue and Squares - were occupied, as it would get more people into the complex. But it could lead to car parking issues, with a lack of spaces available.'

Do you know about a new restaurant or business coming to Norwich? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.