AN ENTREPRENEUR has axed plans to open a Brazilian-style restaurant in the centre of Bradford.

Charles Hewitt had hoped to open the Ginga Rodizio Bar and Grill in the former Brew Haus premises on Great Horton Road this weekend.

But he has now pulled out saying the owners had signed up someone else.

Mr Hewitt said: "I'm not a happy bunny. I'm a few grand out of pocket."

He said he was set to pay £1,000 a week in rent but another company was willing to pay almost double at £1,800.

"I'm looking at Sheffield with a different concept but six months down the line I could come to Bradford."

He said he was pleased with the response to his concept from the Bradford public.

He added: "People want this in Bradford. It is a real opportunity but I need the right venue."

He said he would be looking for alternative venues in the city but was disappointed that he would have to let down the people he had been hoping to employ this week.

A post on the Ginga Rodizio's Facebook page initially said that Brewdog would be moving into the former bar next to the Alhambra but the company denied that yesterday.

In a statement the Scottish brewers and bar chain operators said: "We can confirm that we have had an early stage discussion about the property but we have not viewed it nor placed an offer.

"We are on a mission to make people across the UK and the world as passionate about craft beer as we are.

"We are sure at some stage in the future this would include a bar in Bradford."

Followers of the Ginga Rodizio Bar and Grill's Facebook page said they were disappointed that it would not be opening and that Bradford had plenty of empty premises where Mr Hewitt could set up.

They suggested several venues including Sunbridge Wells, the Exchange Ale House, the site of the planned Papadoms at The Broadway or the former NatWest building on the corner of Hustlergate and Bank Street.

Mr Hewitt had hoped up to 35 jobs would be created in the Ginga Rodizio Bar and Grill. He said it would be "an all-you-can-eat steak restaurant".

He added: "Bradford is lacking a lot of good quality independent restaurants. It's lacking an independent choice."

Mr Hewitt has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry and worked as an area and general manager for Living Ventures Restaurants which runs chains of eateries and bars such as Artisan, Blackhouse, Gusto and Red Door.