ITALIAN restaurant Prezzo is set for its grand opening in Penarth next week.

Work has nearly finished on the £750,000 renovation of the former Spar store on Windsor Road.

The new restaurant, which will see the creation of 20 new jobs, will open its doors to the public for the first time on Thursday, March 12.

The restaurant, which has a contemporary design, has seating for 138 guests, with 118 in the main restaurant and a further 20 in an outside patio dining area

It will serve popular and innovative Italian food, including a range of pizza, pasta, salads, risottos and grills, as well as a children’s menu.

As part of the redevelopment of the Edwardian building, the original cornice features have been restored and a spiral staircase has been installed.

The restaurant also features limed oak panelled walls and bronze bevelled mirrors.

Prezzo chief executive Jonathan Kaye said: “We are looking forward to opening our new restaurant and are confident that it will be an excellent addition to Penarth’s dining and social scene.”

Prezzo will be open from 12 noon until 11pm throughout the week.

Alex Kalebic, Penarth resident and retail agent with Cooke & Arkwright, added: “In recent years Penarth has become much more of a destination for discerning diners.

“Both the landlord and myself live in Penarth and we had a vested interest in attracting a high quality restaurant operator to the premises.

“We are delighted that Prezzo has come to Penarth – it is great news for diners and for the town itself.”

Penarth councillors have also welcomed the addition of Prezzo, saying that it was hoped the town centre would become a "Mecca for discerning diners and tourists".

Councillor Phillip Rapier (St Augustine's) added: "I am delighted that a national restaurant chain is coming here and have sufficient faith in Penarth's tourist economy to do what they're doing."

Local residents have also welcomed Prezzo to the town centre, saying that it provided an alternative to other restaurants in the area and made a change from charity shops opening on the high street.

Plans for the building were thrown into doubt last year when a planning officer from the Vale Council said he was “minded to refuse” the planning application for change of use from retail (class A1) to restaurant (class A3).

But the Vale Council eventually approved the planning application, saying that the application could provide economic benefits and employment to the town centre, and would result in a vacant unit being occupied and jobs being created.

Last month Penarth councillors urged Prezzo to reconsider illuminated signage proposed for the new Italian restaurant, endorsing an observation from the town clerk that "given the Vale of Glamorgan council’s guidance on shop front design within the conservation area the applicant be asked to reconsider the type of projection sign to be used to ensure it is not internally illuminated”.

The matter will now be considered by a delegated planning officer from the Vale council.