WINCHESTER’S Giggling Squid, a Thai restaurant in The Square, is to offer tired and fraught parents a ‘peace and quiet’ solo table at lunch upon request.

As children head back to school after a busy and tiring summer holiday, parents will just have to turn up and ask for 'peace and quiet’ on arrival, where they will be given a table for a relaxed solo dining experience with one free glass of Prosecco, or a soft drink alternative.

In what they describe as “a stand against the recent shame piled on solo diners”, Giggling Squid is also offering the first two customers to book a £20 Treatwell voucher to go towards a beauty treatment of their choice.

The offer runs during the Monday to Friday school week from 12 until 5pm between Tuesday September 5 and Thursday September 28, with weekends excluded.

READ MORE: Winchester Green Week: More than 40 events planned

Andy Laurillard, the co-founder of Giggling Squid, said: “I know personally that the children going back to school in September brings a wave of emotions – sadness that the summer is over, but also relief as we get some time back after the busy holidays. 

“The launch of the ‘peace and quiet’ table at Winchester celebrate solo diners (who have been getting a hard time recently!) as well as parents and the great work they do, day in and day out.”

Since opening their first Giggling Squid restaurant in Brighton in 2002, co-founders Pranee and Andrew Laurillard now oversee 49 restaurants across the United Kingdom.

They describe their brand as having “a strong reputation for bold Thai cuisine, complemented by a stylish and relaxed setting”, with separate vegan and children’s menus.

The Winchester branch opened on November 7 last year after the refurbishment of the site formerly occupied by Slug and Lettuce. The restaurant is open every day from midday until 10.30pm, and is available for takeaways.