Restaurant chain Viva Brazil is planning to open a new outlet in Birmingham city centre.

The company has announced it will invest £1.2 million into opening the restaurant in Bennetts Hill in the unit formerly occupied by Indian restaurant Isaacs on the corner of Waterloo Street.

The restaurant, which is due to launch in September, is expected to create 40 jobs and will be able to seat 200 customers across two floors, making it the chain's largest.

It is locating itself in a very competitive and busy area for bars and restaurants which has recently seen Cosy Club open directly opposite and Nosh and Quaff due to launch shortly in Colmore Row in addition to more established locales such as Colmore Bar & Grill, Old Joint Stock and Purecraft Bar and Kitchen.

Viva Brazil was launched in Liverpool in 2010 since when it has opened restaurants in Glasgow, Cardiff and a fourth in Newcastle later this summer.

The company says it operates an authentic-style Brazilian steak house which offers a dining experience dating back hundreds of years to the tastes of the cowboys of southern Brazil.

So-called 'passadors' move from table to table, hand carving a selection of slow-cooked meats from large skewers in front of customers alongside a salad bar and hot Brazilian dishes, fruit, cold meat and sauces.

The bar also serves a traditional Brazilian cocktail called Caipirinha which is made using locally sourced cachaça rum, freshly squeezed limes and sugar.

Founder and managing director Andy Aldrich said: "Viva Birmingham represents a very exciting prospect and I am delighted to announce its opening in September this year.

"This is a major milestone for our business and signifies our long-term ambition to create a fantastic dining experience in the heart of Birmingham."

Rival Brazilian chain Rico Rodizio opened a similar venture at The Cube in 2012.