Japanese-style noodle bar chain, Wagamama, is opening its 24th restaurant today – in London’s Brent Cross shopping centre.

The 250sq m (2,700sq ft) site is situated on the mezzanine restaurant level of the shopping centre and provides 135 covers in the chain’s signature design of wooden benches and communal tables.

Architects for the project were Pennington Robson.

The Brent Cross site is Wagamama’s 17th in London following recent openings in Mansion House, Canary Wharf and Tower Hill.

The company is to open a further nine restaurants in the UK over the next financial year – including sites in Brighton, Richmond and Reading – and is due to open its sixth and seventh international franchised operations in Dubai and Amsterdam World Trade Centre in May and June 2004 respectively.

Chief executive, Ian Neill, said: “The opening of our 24th restaurant is testament to the broad appeal of Wagamama and its ethos of positive eating.”