OXFORD'S newest restaurant, Leon, has opened this morning in Cornmarket. 

More than 30 staff are being employed by the chain at the store in the former HMV shop. 

The 136-seat restaurant is open on two floors with a children’s play area.

The opening takes the total number of Leons to 42. 

One of the first customers was Barry Pickett, 69, from Oxford, who bought a sausage and egg muffin and a latte in a breakfast meal deal costing £4.25.

He said, “It’s a nice muffin, cooked well - its lovely. I can see I’m going to be a regular customer here."

Oxford Mail:

General manager Gary Marriott added: "It has been very busy and we have had lots of nice feedback from customers.”

Leon will open from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 9pm on Sunday and will offer a 15 per cent discount to students and NHS staff.

A Christmas menu features a Christmas turkey, ham hock and stuffing wrap, a turkey curry, pistachio and pomegranate sprout salad and mince pie, developed in collaboration with food writer and TV presenter Gizzi Erskine.

There are two vegetarian options to the breakfast menu – a halloumi muffin and veggie egg pot, with grilled halloumi, mushroom, saucy beans and freshly chopped parsley.

Chief executive officer John Vincent said: "We make naturally fast food that tastes good, does you good and is kind to the planet."

The opening of Leon follows the opening of Japanese chain Wasabi earlier this month on the other side of Cornmarket.