The opening date of a hotly anticipated new city cafe is nearing as its international owner announces when its doors will open. 

The former Montezuma's Chocolate Shop in Gentleman's Walk has stood empty since last July.

It was revealed in March that bubble tea chain Gong Cha had applied for planning permission for the site.

With permission from Norwich City Council for some minor adjustments to the grade II-listed building approved, the company has revealed plans to open the cafe this month.

Norwich Evening News: Work at the site is nearing completionWork at the site is nearing completion (Image: Emily Goodwin)

Gong Cha will have two days of a soft launch, on Wednesday, June 13 and Thursday, June 14, with an official opening - and a buy one get one free offer - on Friday, June 15.

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Justin Liew, operations manager at Gong Cha for the UK and Ireland, said: "There is a strong student community in Norwich and a vibrant food and beverage scene."

While the company was founded in Taiwan in 2006, it is now headquartered in the UK.

The latest branch opened in Las Vegas in May.