A sourdough pizza chain which started in Brixton market in 2008 is due to open a branch in Wimbledon this autumn.

Franco Manca, which is known for its reasonably-priced stonebaked pizzas, already has more than 10 branches in London, including Southfields and South Kensington.

Next it plans to open a new restaurant opposite The Piazza in the Broadway, where the SAMA Asian Kitchen recently closed.

David Sykes of Franco Manca said: "We love Wimbledon Broadway, with its diverse and vibrant community; who wouldn’t want to be part that?

"If all goes well, we should open our new pizzeria around the middle of November. We can't wait."

The pizza place is among a host of new restaurants to open on the high street this year.

Roast beef sandwich restaurant Dip and Flip and Five Guys burger bar both opened restaurants in the Broadway this spring.

REVIEW: Five Guys doing a roaring burger trade

AndPasta, a fast-food Italian pasta restaurant chain, has just applied for a licence to take over the former Jessops photo shop close to the corner of Queen's Road in the Broadway.

Helen Clark Bell, director of Love Wimbledon business improvement district, said she was pleased to see more and more disused shops being taken over by restaurants.

July 30: Cousins to be replaced by sisters - Fish shop fried after seven months

Bucking the food trend, Cousins Fish and Chip shop opposite the New Wimbledon Theatre is in the middle of a refurbishment to become a bridal store.