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A new Nando's restaurant in Birmingham has apologised to customers the day after it opened - after receiving several complaints about 'racist' artwork adorning its walls.

The branch, at the One Stop Shopping Centre in Perry Barr, only opened yesterday (Wednesday) but was immediately met with several complaints about artwork hanging next to the men's toilets.

The painting, created for the restaurant by South African artist Khaya Sineyile, shows four black people in a toaster.

The artists' work takes issue with the 'far reaching effects of social equality in South Africa'.

But, after several complaints to the restaurant, it was taken down.

(Image: Wayne Yafai)

Customer Wayne Yafai said he was offended by the painting when he visited on the opening day.

The 33-year-old, from Handsworth , told BirminghamLive: "I had just been to the men's toilet, came out and saw this painting facing me. I found it so offensive. I am mixed race, half Arabic and half English.

"I took a picture of the painting and showed it to my black friends. They were really offended by it and felt it was racist and couldn't see why Nando's would use such a painting in one of its restaurants.

"We sent a complaint to Nando's and they did respond to us to apologise and to try offer an explanation. But we still don't know what the hidden message is behind the artwork."

A Nando’s spokesman said it had removed the painting following the complaints.

He said: " As a proudly South African brand we are the biggest collectors of Southern African art in the world and every Nando’s restaurant displays original artworks from artists based in our homeland.

"Often these works depict scenes from South Africa’s history or comment on the current social situations there.

"In this instance artist, Khaya Sineyile, from the New Crossroads township in Nyanga, Cape Town, takes issue with the far-reaching effects of social inequality in South Africa.

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"Using common household objects in juxtaposition with his subjects Khaya aims to create discussion around issues often ignored. We understand art is subjective and without context the work could be misinterpreted, we have apologised for any offence this artwork might have caused."

Announcing the opening of the Nando's Perry Barr Natasha Knowles, regional managing director, had said: "We are really excited to unveil Nando's new Perry Barr restaurant, creating 40 new jobs and bringing our own peri-peri to the the area."