The long-awaited Prezzo restaurant could be open in Dereham within three months, it is revealed today.

Eastern Daily Press: Chambers of Dereham circa 1970Chambers of Dereham circa 1970 (Image: Archant)

Breckland Council granted change of use permission on the former Chambers newsagents last year and approved Prezzo signage but while work has been carried out to renovate the Market Place premises there had been no official confirmation of its opening.

Now a spokesman for the Italian chain has said it has a 'tentative start date' of April 25 on site, to install its fixtures and fittings, and a 'possible late June or early July opening'.

He added: 'Prezzo now has all the consents and the landlord is carrying out some works on the shell whilst awaiting news on the gas and electric upgrades. The dates still need to be confirmed.'

Dereham Mayor Linda Goreham said she was looking forward to a meal in Dereham's newest restaurant.

'It will be a tremendous asset to our town,' she said. 'I am very very pleased because it has taken so long and I really can't wait.

'I think I will be one of its first customers - I have been to some of their other ones in Norfolk and they are lovely.

'It is a big name and they do a good quality meal. It is a proven formula and it will be lovely to see a proper business in there and all smartened up.'

Work is also progressing well on the new petrol station and Marks and Spencer (M&S) Simply Food store on London Road.

More than £1.8m is being invested to redevelop the service station on the edge of the town centre.

British Petroleum (BP) has said it will create more than a dozen jobs, along with M&S, as part of changes at Lynn Hill Service Station.

Mrs Goreham said the site already looks 'impressive' and expected it to be a popular food outlet.

'M&S would not have come to our town if they did not think they would be able to make a go of it,' she said. 'They do their research and they think we are worth their investment.'

* Do you think the new businesses will help attract people to Dereham? Email kathryn.cross@archant.co.uk