With the festive month of December upon us, not only is Christmas fast approaching, but so is the grand opening of Nando’s in New Malden!

Nando’s is a distinguished chain of restaurants, mainly known for their succulent chicken. They are also famous for their trademark peri-peri sauce, which tends to be very spicy. The sauce is even available to purchase in supermarkets due to high demand. The popular restaurant originated in South Africa in 1987.

The new restaurant in New Malden is replacing the vacant space that was once a Dreams bed shop on the bustling high street, near the fountain roundabout. Work began on the new restaurant towards the end of the summer.

Local fans of Nando’s were delighted to hear that the new restaurant would be open for the first time on Wednesday 10th December. Prior to this, the closest Nando’s to New Malden was the restaurant that is located in Kingston. Other restaurants in the high street of New Malden include Al Forno, where excellent Italian food is served, as well as famous fast food chains, McDonald’s and KFC.

When asked to share her thoughts on the opening of Nando’s in New Malden, a local resident said, “I think it’s a good idea to have another place to eat in the high street, especially a successful chain like Nando’s. Hopefully it will bring some more vitality to the high street. It might be beneficial as it will bring more customers; maybe people coming to New Malden from other places.”

Another local resident said, “I think it is a marvellous idea to have a Nando’s in New Malden. Not only will it bring new jobs, it will also get people out and about on the high street which is a very positive prospect for the small local businesses.”

Nando’s is inevitably going to be a wonderful addition to New Malden High Street and it will be great for Christmas shoppers to relinquish of their hunger after perhaps doing a spot of Christmas shopping in New Malden.

Francesca MacDonald, Sutton High School