West Swindon landmark restaurant reopens

Swindon's well known Chinese restaurant on the edge of Peatmoor Lagoon has relaunched under new management as the Hongxin Oriental Buffet with a dramatic performance by lion dancers accompanied by drums and crashin cymbals.

It's second refurbishment in less than two years. Following feedback from diners that the very open plan restaurant felt rather like a canteen, owners Xin Li and Jian Zhong, who first invested £200,000 in the autumn of 2010 to refurbish the near derelict building to create a new all you can eat restaurant, have spent a further £100,000 on improvements.

The renovation décor is more in keeping with Chinese tradition, with seating set around intimate booths, divided by low walls and open frameworks decorated by Chinese artworks and ornaments.

But the makeover extends to all areas of the restaurant, as director James Young explained: “We had four objectives in designing a new look restaurant for Swindon - to create a quality environment, with attractive features and to show off Chinese culture. We brought in two containers of decorative features. Our final aim is to offer very reasonable prices to our customers. 

"We have refurbished from top to bottom: the toilets, the kitchen and all the equipment are brand new. We have created a space for guests to have a drink before their meal and the customers will welcome the way we have  divided up the restaurant area. We will also be able to cater for private functions and special celebrations.”

The mayor of Swindon Ray Ballman who cut the opening ribbon with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, and owners Xing Li and Zhong Jiang, said she was greatly impressed by the look of the Hongxin. "The lion dancers were fantastic and I'm greatly impressed by decor. The wide range of food is excellent; I'm sure the restaurant will be a success."

Justin Tomlinson agreed. "It's absolutely fantastic for Swindon people to have another restaurant to go to. The Hongxin is an excellent addition to the town's nightime economy. It's well positioned for the whole of the north and west of the town; I'm surre it will do well."

For reservations call 01793 877888.

Below, North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson with fiancee Jo Wheeler