GARY Neville has confirmed he will bring the popular Mahiki nightclub franchise to Manchester, and he plans to launch the venue in the spring of next year.

The former Manchester United and England footballer, from Bury, has signed a 20-year lease on a building within the city's business community, the Albert Estate, where the nightclub will be situated.

The distinctive Polynesian and tiki-themed London venue is a favoured nightspot of celebrities, and Prince Harry has been known to attend.

The club was first opened in 2005 by Piers Adam, David Phelps and Nick House, with a Dubai branch opening in 2011.

Neville's venture will see him open the third in the chain while growing his business and property portfolio in Manchester.

Neville, aged 41, said: "Mahiki already has fantastic venues in world-class cities so we are delighted to bring a club of this calibre to Manchester, in a great location such as the Albert Estate."

Mahiki will be housed in a 4,437 square foot space in the estate as part of its expansion scheme, which has been boosted with a £28 million investment from the landlord, LJ Partnership.

Neville's property portfolio includes Hotel Football, opposite Old Trafford, and he plans a development in the heart of the city which will generate over 1,300 new jobs.