Loungers says it will reach the milestone of 100 sites with the opening of the Capo Lounge in Mansfield on 10 May. Also lined up for the next few months are a Cosy Club in York and Lounges in Weston-super-Mare and Kidderminster. The launches come close behind a recent Lounge opening in Poole and a Cosy Club in Cheltenham. Chief executive Nick Collins said: “We’ve got a fully formed pipeline of sites for both brands that takes us well into 2018, and whilst reaching the milestone of 100 sites in May will mark a huge achievement for the business, we are already focused on reaching 200 sites in four to five years time.”
Thai café concept Rosa’s has secured a site on Earlham Street by Seven Dials in Covent Garden. It is a 1,500 square feet restaurant, and will be a second opening for the Rosa’s group, joining the spin-off Lao Café on Chandos Place. Rosa’s was advised on the addition by Shelley Sandzer, which last year helped the brand pick up a location on Atlantic Road in Brixton that is due to open soon. Partner Casey Phillips said: “We are very happy to see Rosa’s Thai Cafe continue to grow. Located on a busy corner in the heart of the West End and complemented by the attractive boutiques of Seven Dials, it is an ideal next step for their expansion in the capital.”
Pizza Pilgrims has opened on Shoreditch high street—its fifth location. It is operating on a BYO drinks basis, and joins Pizza Pilgrims branches in Covent Garden, Carnaby, Soho and Exmouth Market.
Five Guys is to open on Frederick Street in Edinburgh city centre. It will be a second location in Edinburgh, alongside a restaurant at Fort Kinnaird retail park. The brand has also secured a restaurant at the extension to the White Rose shopping centre in Leeds.
All-day Italian concept Coco di Mama has just opened at Strutton Ground in Westminster. It is its 16th location.
Carluccio’s has set 27 March for the opening of its new restaurant, shop and deli in York. It will be the first in a ‘new generation’ of Carluccio’s locations.
Hawksmoor’s sister brand Foxlow is to open on Lower James Street in Soho—a first central London site for an operation that has previously opened in Clerkenwell, Balham and Chiswick.
A new Chinese steamed bun concept called Bun House will open on the corner of Greek Street and Old Compton Street just before the end of March. It has taken its inspiration from Hong Kong street food stalls and tea houses, and blends Chinese style with British colonial elements. The unit will offer takeaway and countertop eating for 10 people. The menu will include bao buns with fillings, alongside sides and pickles. Underneath the food site will be Tea Room, a 55-cover speakeasy-style Chinese drinking den with a licence until 3am and separate entrance.
The Village London all-day café group has opened Rail House Café on Sir Simon Milton Square in Victoria. It has various spaces including a downstairs eating area, upstairs bar called the Puffing Devil, and a terrace. Village London’s other venues including Riding House Café in Fitzrovia and Village East on Bermondsey Street.
The Pizza Express owned Firezza brand is to open a site on Dean Street later in the year. It will be a 80-cover restaurant, selling pizza by the metre
Brighton steak and seafood restaurant The Coal Shed has announced it will open a first London site in the autumn, at the new One Tower Bridge development opposite the Tower of London. It will be a 124-cover restaurant at a development that will also be home to a hotel, theatre and high-spec apartments. The Coal Shed opened in Brighton six years ago, and already has one sister restaurant called the Salt Room. Founder Razak Helalat said: “It feels like a natural progression to be opening to a new audience in London where we’ll remain fully committed to our love for quality ingredients, expertly cooked. It goes without saying that we’re more than excited about what’s in store.”
A new Asian concept called The Ugly Dumplings is to open its first restaurant on Newburgh Street in London’s Carnaby, having previously traded as a street food operator. It is a 700 square feet site over two levels, and succeeds Pitt Cue there. The site was acquired by Shelley Sandzer, whose leasing agent Amy Counsell said: “We are thrilled to secure the first site for Ugly Dumplings in the UK, and assist in the next stage of their growth.”
Fast-growing Caribbean concept Turtle Bay will open on Castle Street in Swansea in late June, local media report.
Burger and steak specialist Mu Mu will opened on Wellingborough high street on 31 March—a third site in the county of Northamptonshire for the brand.
Four new restaurants are to open in a new restaurant quarter in Rugby called Chapel Street Dining. It is a redevelopment of an old shop in the town’s Swan Centre that should open in the summer. The identities of the tenants will be announced soon.
Food Store, a new healthy café, deli and juice bar, has just opened on Irving Street in Soho. It is the first venture into central London by the Masseria Group, which also runs the Salusbury Food Store in Queen’s Park and other venues in north west London.
Whitbread’s Brewer’s Fayre brand has opened a pub and restaurant at the Vennland Business Park in Minehead.
A new Brazilian-inspired acai and juice bar is opening as a pop-up on the King’s Road on 29 March. It will be part of fashion boutique Blaiz and will be open until July.
