JOHN Lewis has confirmed it will open two new restaurants in its flagship store on Oxford Street in London.

Ham Holy Burger, a small Italian burger chain with sites in Milan and Rome, will open its first UK premises alongside its sister pizza brand Rossopomodoro which already has eight sites.

Handley Amos, UK managing director at Rossopomodoro and Ham Holy Burger, said he was delighted.

Andrew Murphy, John Lewis retail director and former head of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen stores, said: "With their focus on quality and fresh ingredients, we think people are going to love the offer from these two brands at our flagship shop."

The department store owner has experimented with branded catering outlets in some of its sites in recent months including the Hotel Chocolat cocoa bar cafe in Edinburgh.

Mr Murphy said: "We've had a great response to the coffee and juice outlets we've already opened in Edinburgh, York and Solihull, so it made sense to add restaurants and involve our London shops in this initiative."