Brent Cross photo: Billy Hicks

Brent Cross Shopping Centre is to get its first ever kosher restaurant with the opening in spring of a new branch of dairy eaterie The Kanteen at the popular north west London shopping mall.

Currently open in Bushey, Hertfordshire, The Kanteen, under the supervision of The Federation of Synagogues, specialises in dairy dishes as well as offering a bakery for bread and cakes.

"Brent Cross Shopping Centre is a great location with over 30 years heritage and a loyal community. As an independent business, we are delighted to be able to provide shoppers with a new offer for 2009," said The Kanteen managing director Robert Dallas.

According to Brent Cross spokesman, Norman Black, having a kosher restaurant has been on the agenda for a number of years. "Barnet, in which Brent Cross is situated, has the highest proportion of Jewish residents in England and Wales. When we asked our customers what specialist food they would like to see at the Centre, the largest response was for a kosher restaurant, so we are very excited about the opening of The Kanteen."