THE fast-growing Thai restaurant chain Giggling Squid has revealed plans to move into the Market Walk venue currently occupied by Strada.

The Salisbury venture will be the group’s first restaurant in Wiltshire.

The site will become Giggling Squid’s largest restaurant, with seating for 120 diners on the ground floor, and office space and staff accommodation upstairs.

Giggling Squid will invest £150,000 refurbishing the property and expects to open to the public next Easter.

It will create 20 new jobs.

“Salisbury offers exactly the demographic profile that is attracted by our style of restaurant – up-market, discerning clientèle with a penchant for healthy, exotic cuisine,” said Giggling Squid co-owner Andrew Laurillard.

“There are some very good restaurants here, but our research confirmed there’s strong local demand and a gap in the market for a high-end Thai establishment.”

Giggling Squid currently operates ten venues across the south and will open a restaurant in Bristol after Christmas.

Co-owned by Mr Laurillard and his wife Pranee, the chain serves “rustic” Thai cuisine, with an emphasis on seafood and street food.