A NATIONAL Piri-Piri chicken franchise has marked its “soft opening” at its new store at a retail park in Rhyl.

“Pepe’s Piri Piri” will open to the general public at unit 11 of the town’s Marina Quay Shopping Park tomorrow (November 11).

This was preceded by a “soft opening” event at the store this afternoon (November 10).

Among those attendance at today’s soft opening was Rhyl mayor, Cllr Jacquie McAlpine, along with Chris Hayward, a representative from Development Bank of Wales, and Abby Pilling of Rhyl BID (Business Improvement District).

Conwy County Councillor Abdul Khan, Simon Keating of North Wales Police, and Gari Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s economic and business development lead officer, also visited Pepe's for its soft opening.

To celebrate its opening, Pepe’s will be offering a 20 per cent discount at its Rhyl store tomorrow.

The store will be open from 12.30pm tomorrow and on Sunday, and from 11am thereafter.

Its opening comes after numerous delays and setbacks were experienced, primarily regarding the store’s gas supply.

Rhyl Journal: Pepe's soft opening today (November 10).Pepe's soft opening today (November 10). (Image: Newsquest)

But these have now been resolved, with Pepe’s confirming earlier this week that its Rhyl branch would be ready to open this weekend.

Its opening hours at Marina Quay will be from 11am until 11pm, seven days a week.

Another popular takeaway, believed to be Papa Johns, is due to fill a unit adjacent to that which Pepe’s Piri Piri has taken on at Marina Quay.

They will join the likes of B&M, Aldi, and The Range at the retail park.

Pepe’s Piri Piri’s Rhyl restaurant will feature 30 seats for diners and has created up to 16 job opportunities.

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The 180th Pepe's store to open in the UK, it offers a Pepe's grilled collection, kid's meals, desserts, Pepe's platters, and sides including mozzarella sticks, chilli cheese nuggets and streamed mixed vegetables.

There is also a vegetarian collection, featuring choices like a feta salad and paneer rice/burrito/nachos.

Pepe's also has delivery options, and is available to order on Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Cllr McAlpine called Pepe's "a great addition to Marina Quay", adding that it will offer a "terrific new dining experience".

Gari Thomas said: "It's great to see a new business coming to the county, with year-round employment opportunities."

Chris Hayward, who has worked with Nuruj Chowdhury, owner of the Rhyl branch, for the last 18 months, added: "It's been a pleasure, and hopefully, we can support you moving forward, as well."

Nuruj Chowdhury said: "It's been challenging; we've been trying to come here for a while, but it's looking good now.

"We want to create something different for the local people as well as the tourists, and give opportunities from an employment perspective in Denbighshire.

"I'm hoping this will be a good venture, not just for myself, but for the communities of Denbighshire and Rhyl."

Simon Keating told Nuruj: "It's good to see new businesses coming to the area and investing to the area, and we (North Wales Police) will do what we can to support you. We're to help you succeed."