A CHINESE buffet has come up with an innovative solution to stay open for its customers during the coronavirus.

Table service is the last thing many would expect at a buffet restaurant, but for The Chinese Buffet in Bridge Street, Bolton, it has become a key part of operating over the difficult coronavirus period.

This is all done through an app where people can book, order food and drink and pay without leaving the table, however, the restaurant is still looking to provide a buffet style service.

The restaurant, which launched in Bolton in 2006, is also offering a takeaway service but feels it has been affected a lot harder than other businesses due to the way that they are used to operating as a buffet.

Paolo Wu, The Chinese Buffet's managing director, said: “We wanted to make sure the buffet experience wasn't lost completely despite people not being able to roam around the restaurant anymore.

"We have got a lot of positive feedback so far and we're pleased with the results too.

"The app we have created is second to none so you can order whatever food you want, whenever you want, so you're still getting the buffet experience.

"Although this has still brought a lot of challenges as we've been operating as a traditional buffet for over 14 years in Bolton now."

Mr Wu admitted that while this innovation has helped the business, coronavirus restrictions are hitting the restaurants very hard.

He said: "We were quite desperate through lockdown to open again and since the decision was made to move to table service we have high hopes looking into the future.

"It was a race against time to figure out what we needed to do, we've had to take out a lot of tables, and a third of the restaurant is set up to serve food.

"We'd usually get a lot of big groups and parties too which can't happen anymore which has a big effect on us.

"However, if we can get people to know that we are offering our buffet experience in a safe way we are hopeful for the future."