Jamie Oliver will open his new Brighton restaurant this March.

While major projects in the city including the redevelopment of Brighton Marina and the King Alfred have had to be dropped or shelved, the TV chef ’s latest venture is on schedule.

Developer Karis, which was behind the £290 million King Alfred development before it foundered earlier this year, said a team was already at the Black Lion Street site fitting out the kitchen for Jamie’s Italian restaurant.

A Japanese karaoke bar, Lucky Voice, will open in March at the same time as Jamie Oliver’s outlet.

The restaurant and bar are both part of the £15 million redevelopment which has seen Moore House redesigned by Piers Gough, of CZWG Architects, and the next door building, number 8, restored.

Alongside the restaurant and karaoke bar, four floors of office space, each with a private roof terrace and garden, have been included.

Black Lion Street has also been given a £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 facelift, including paving stones running from The Lanes car park to the Prince Albert Street junction.

The improvements will turn the road into a shared space and allow seating outside Mr Oliver’s restaurant.

A 25mm kerb to identify the pavement edge for the visually impaired has been included and road-markings removed.

The concept has been a success in New Road, where traffic has dropped by 90% and pedestrian use increased by 160%.

Cars will no longer be able to access Prince Albert Street along this route, which will feature public artwork, lighting and plants.

Karis director Josh Arghiros said: “Our development at Black Lion Street will be complete for Christmas.

“In these especially difficult times it’s a good news story that the regeneration of what used to be a thorn amongst roses will now be a integral and vibrant part of this city.

“Jamie Oliver is currently having his new restaurant fitted out and two of the four floors of offices are pre-let to Icrossing, a media company.

“Railings designed by artist Ricky Delaney and the children of Middle Street Primary School will bring art from the community to form a permanent part of Brighton’s life.”