A WORLD buffet restaurant is set to open in May – just on the doorstep of the Time Square development.

Hani’z will be launching in Bridge Street opposite the new Warrington Market with more than 80 dishes available at once.

The 7,500sq ft unlimited eatery will feature a pan Asian section with Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese and Thai food, a Pakistani section with a variety of the most popular curries, an Italian section with around six pizzas and four pasta dishes and a dessert bar with hot and cold desserts and an ice cream machine.

There will also be Mexican dishes and British food among others and all soft drinks are included in the price. Alcoholic drinks can be bought for an extra charge.

Zahid Iqbal, who is behind Hani’z, said: “We are also going to be looking at a Sunday carvery which will be your traditional roast and we’re going to have other roast meats with a twist to it with Asian spices.”

Warrington Guardian:

The 43-year-old, who runs a management consultancy company, was attracted to Warrington for his first solo venture due to the £142.5million Time Square development that is currently transforming the town centre.

The aim is to open in May if the change of use application for the retail site gets passed.

Zahid added: “The response has been unbelievable. On social media we have reached nearly 150,000 people.

“I think people are excited because this kind of venue is new to Warrington.

“I’ve got a big family and when we go out to eat it’s difficult to choose a place because everyone wants different things.

“The whole idea of having a world buffet is that it gives families from three or four-year-old children to grandparents one location where they can all have a nice meal and try different things.”

Hani’z will accommodate 180 to 200 people with flexibility for more if demand is there and it is estimated that the restaurant will create between 15 and 20 jobs.

Zahid, who is from Manchester, said: “I’ve got a management consultancy company so my job over the past 20 years has been working with businesses – mainly restaurants – and helping them reduce costs, increase sales and work on menus and dishes.

“I’ve been doing it a long time for other people and I have been in partnerships with a lot of well-known brands in the UK but this is my first solo venture.”

As well as being opposite the new market and food hall, Hani’z will be a stone’s throw from the Time Square Cineworld and Zahid’s aim is to offer a night out without denting the wallet too much.

He added: “It’s not a great time to open a business due to the uncertainty around the impact of Brexit

“But I’ve also found when people are struggling and financially things aren’t great people don’t stop going out but they want value for money.”