THE flair and bustle of Brazil is coming to Colchester High Street.

Brazilian steakhouse Preto is to open in the former Cafe Rouge restaurant.

The restaurant chain has five venues in London but is looking to open new restaurants in four new locations including Colchester.

Menus offer 15 cuts of spit roasted meat which are presented on skewers and carved at the table.

French restaurant Cafe Rouge closed in February after management could not reach an agreement over the lease with the building's owner.

Michelle Reynolds, the chairwoman of the Colchester Retail Business Association, said she would welcome the new restaurant to the town.

She said: "We would be pleased if any empty shop unit is being taken on and if it is a new restaurant it will be like for like.

"The fact a company is interested in opening in the town is good."

Ms Reynolds said nationally about 13 per cent of shops were vacant but in Colchester, the vacancy rate was closer to eight per cent.

She said: "We have had a few shop closures recently, such as in Sir Isaacs Walk, but generally Colchester town centre seems to be doing OK."

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