Work is progressing at the site of the new casino in Sawclose, Bath and the finishing touches are being put to the outside of the buildings.

One of the biggest restaurants in the area when finished will be Giggling Squid, a chain of Thai restaurants, which will have seating for 150 people in the building, a former school which used to house Mexican restaurant Chimichanga.

Giggling Squid is famous for its affordable Thai tapas and small plates, including Thai tapas dishes for children which allows them to sample spicy or Asian food from an early age.

A spokeswoman for the restaurant confirmed building work is on track, and the restaurant will be ready to open in mid January - the opening date was postponed due to delayed work at the new casino.

Giggling Squid will serve a wide range of Thai dishes
Giggling Squid will serve a wide range of Thai dishes

Bath's latest Thai eatery will have room for up to 150 guests in a 'relaxed yet stylish and spacious' setting, with an additional 40 seats available for alfresco dining.

Previously the Saw Close site was home to a school. Founded in 1711, it was re-built during 1860 in a beautiful ‘Northern renaissance style’.

Owned by Thai-born Pranee Laurillard and her husband Andrew, Giggling Squid - the nickname of one of their three children - was founded in the basement of a tiny fisherman’s cottage.

That became the chain’s Brighton restaurant, where dreams of replicating a little taste of home became a reality, and they have since opened 21 venues across the UK.

All the food at Giggling Squid will be cooked fresh at the new restaurant in Sawclose
All the food at Giggling Squid will be cooked fresh at the new restaurant in Sawclose

“We had no money, no idea what we were doing, a leaky roof, dodgy wiring and a pile of washing up to the ceiling but luckily the menu was a massive hit,” Pranee explains on the restaurant website.

When finished, the casino site should transform the Sawclose area surrounding the majestic Theatre Royal.

There will be lots of seating outdoors which gets late evening sun, and as well as Giggling Squid there will be Zizzi Italian and Byron burger restaurant.

There will also be a 150 bedroom Z hotel as well as the new casino which management promises to be very upmarket and luxurious, with cocktail bars and other hospitality.

This combined with the other restaurants in the area including Amarone, Oven, Vino Vino, the Garrick's Head, Pizza Express to name just a few should certainly add to the restaurant/bar/nightlife scene in Bath.