Bosses at Washington Square shopping centre in Workington are in talks with two or three chains interested in moving into the empty Edinburgh Woollen Mill unit on Ivison Lane.
Chicken restaurant Nando’s is rumoured to be among those interested - though company bosses have quashed that suggestion.
The owners of Washington Square this week agreed to apply to Allerdale council to change the use of the Ivison Lane unit, with efforts to secure a tenant expected to step up in the new year.
The news comes as Domino’s recruits staff for its planned branch on Campbell-Savours Way, which is expected to open before Christmas and create up to 30 jobs.
Dave Fletcher, Washington Square development manager, said: “There’s a need for more places to eat in the town centre.
"We’ve got Domino’s. They’ll hopefully open before Christmas which is going to prove very successful.
“It’s a way of trying to keep people in the town centre longer. Costa Coffee and Muffin Break are doing very well, Domino’s will hopefully follow suit and a restaurant will move it on further.”
A Nando’s spokesman said: “It’s great to hear there are so many peri-peri fans in Workington.
"But we have no plans to open a restaurant in the town right now.”
She did not confirm whether the town was a target location.
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