A NEW Jamie Oliver restaurant will be taking over the former Chilis at The Oracle.

Between 80 and 90 full and part time jobs will be created when the landmark riverside venue opens next year as Jamie's Italian, a brand launched earlier this year in Bath by the celebrity chef.

The company is currently working on its seventh Jamie's Italian in Cardiff which is due to open next month and plans to open at The Oracle in mid-February.

Simon Blagden, managing director of Jamie's Italian said: "Reading has always been high on our list of places to bring Jamie's Italian. It's an important business centre as well as a vibrant commuter town so we know that the people who live and work in Reading will love Jamie's Italian."

The restaurants are designed to be what the company calls 'neighbourhood restaurants' and appeal to a wide variety of customers.

Simon describes them as: "The sort of restaurants that you could just as easily use every week for a casual business lunch or pop in for an evening because you happen to be passing. It's inclusive, welcoming, affordable and most of all, delicious".

Pasta dishes, which start at £5, will be made on site and bread will be baked daily by artisan bakers, the Flour Station. All chicken will be free-range.

The company has begun recruiting managers and will then want chefs and front of house staff.

l www.jamiesitalian.com