THE opening of two new restaurants will boost the choice of places to wine and dine in Worcester’s city centre.

Popular Italian restaurant Carluccio’s and Hamilton’s coffee bar are coming to the Chapel Walk area of CrownGate shopping centre in a deal announced by owners the Crown Estate, who manage property owned by the Crown.

Carluccio’s, which opens its doors on Tuesday, November 13, will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, featuring its own style of traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist.

Hamilton’s, which is owned by the husband of former Atomic Kitten pop star Natasha Hamilton, will offer relaxed, family-friendly, day-time dining.

Jenny Mulligan, portfolio manager at the Crown Estate, said: “We are very excited to welcome Carluccio’s and Hamilton’s to Worcester. We are confident they will enhance the shopping experience at CrownGate.”

Simon Kosoff, chief executive at Carluccio’s, said: “We are always looking for the right locations to grow our family of authentic Italian restaurants and have found it in CrownGate.”

The news was also welcomed by CrownGate centre manager Erica Burlace.

She said: “The arrival of both of these great names will be fantastic news for the centre and really enhance its leisure and dining offer, as well as encouraging shoppers to stay longer and make a real day out of their trip into the city centre.”

It forms part of the Crown Estate’s wider strategy to improve the tenant mix in the scheme, increase footfall and enhance the experience for shoppers.

The opening hours of the CrownGate car park have also been extended to 12.30am every day and the park-for-£1 initiative has been introduced after 5pm daily to allow for the centre’s new night-time trade.