Twenty new jobs have been created at a new Walthamstow pizza restaurant.

One of five dining options at the new multi-million pound complex, The Scene, is Pizza Express.

The restaurant opened on Thursday at the same time as Nando’s, ahead of three more which will open next year.

Twenty new team members including six pizzaiolos and 12 waiters and waitresses were selected from the borough for employment at the 188-seat restaurant in the centre of Walthamstow.

An estimated 500 kilos of dough will be used in the first month as the team prepares to serve up 4,000 pizzas and 3,000 portions of PizzaExpress’ iconic Dough Balls.

Inside, Pizza Express restaurant pays homage to a local landmark.

Every eatery owned by the company is designed around the town or city it is placed in.

In Walthamstow, art work on the walls celebrates the rich history of the town’s famous greyhound racing stadium.

Bold graphics and shapes found in the stadium’s design can be seen alongside words and terminology used at the greyhound track on signs hanging from the ceiling.

Paulo Kobayashi, manager of PizzaExpress Walthamstow, said, “We will have a beautiful new restaurant and can’t wait to show it off to our customers.

“We have a friendly and enthusiastic team who are looking forward to welcoming everyone over a delicious pizza.”

Founder, Peter Boizot, opened the first PizzaExpress restaurant on Wardour Street in London’s Soho in 1965. It was also one of the first restaurants to adopt open kitchens For opening times and to view the menu, visit www.pizzaexpress.com