A city centre dining quarter due to be ready in time for summer has suffered delays with one restaurant acknowledging it may open almost four months later than planned.

Co-owners Bride Hall and The Carlyle Group previously hoped the four-restaurant complex in Pepper Street would be open by now but The Chronicle understands one reason for the hold-up was the need to remove asbestos found on site.

South American restaurant Las Iguanas, which will cater for 170 diners and create 40 new jobs, said in March that it ‘expected to open in early June’ but with the date to be confirmed.

Now Las Iguanas, within a three-storey scheme and featuring a roof top terrace, intends to open in the autumn.

Spokeswoman Lucy Harwood said: “We have been held up in getting on site to start fitting out the restaurant unfortunately due to the works being undertaken by the landlord which have taken longer than expected, but our intention now is to be open right at the end of September.”

It is understood Coast to Coast, an American-themed bar and restaurant, and Mexican restaurant Chimichanga may open sooner. But Coast to Coast spokeswoman Becky Airey said there was no new opening date and confirmed the project ‘has been pushed back’, adding: “We’re really looking forward to opening in Chester!”

The fourth eaterie is the Restaurant Bar & Grill owned by Individual Restaurants which also runs Piccolino on the opposite side of Pepper Street.

The restaurants have been busy recruiting staff with a deputy manager position advertised for Coast to Coast on a salary of £23,292.

The ad says: “Think America from East Coast to West Coast and the very best of everything in between. We’ve created an exciting menu with an eclectic mix of American favourites, fresh and fabulous! This is an amazing opportunity to grow your career within a fast-expanding company – be part of it!”

Chimichanga Chester has been looking for waiting staff with the promise of a ‘fun working environment’ and the opportunity to attend the company training academy.

Looking at the frontage left to right will be Las Iguanas, The Restaurant Bar and Grill, Coast to Coast and Chimichanga.

Dining quarter owners, Bride Hall and The Carlyle Group, recently sold the nearby Grosvenor Shopping Centre to investment firm HIG Capital for around £65m with occupiers including Debenhams, TK Maxx, H&M, and restaurant Patisserie Valerie.

Roger Gorham, director of Bride Hall, told The Chronicle previously that the £8m dining quarter project would be handed over to undisclosed new owners on completion by Middlewich-based builders Pochin’s Ltd.

Mr Gorham has so far not commented on delays in opening the new dining quarter.