Drake & Morgan has set 8 May for its latest opening—The Bothy bar and restaurant in London’s West India Quay. It will have a 200-cover dining space and 200 more on a riverside terrace. It will be an all-day operation with breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
MEATliquor has announced it will open at the Queens bowling and skating venue in Queensway in May. It will have a 80-cover dining area and bar holding 200 by the bowling lanes, and becomes MEATliquor’s 12th restaurant. Co-founder Scott Collins said: “The those of MEATliquor is one built on offering a destination for people who want to go out but without growing up—something Queens completely epitomises.” News of the opening comes soon after it announced plans for a new site at No 6 St Chad’s Place near King’s Cross station.
Thai operator Hot Pot has opened its first UK restaurant on Wardour Street in Chinatown in London. The brand has 140 sites in Thailand, and specializes in Thai hot pots. It has taken a 4,240 square feet space on Wardour Street, with 148 covers over two floors. Jerry Taechaubolof of Hot Pot said: “Hot Pot has traditionally always been a coming together for people of all ages—a cheerful activity that allows family and friends to gather around the pot and take their time to create, celebrate and socialise. We are delighted to bring this way of eating to the UK and introduce an ancient tradition in a modern environment.” Hot Pot is the latest new addition to Chinatown by Shaftesbury.
Wagamama opened on St Andrew Square in Edinburgh on Monday (10 April). It is a third restaurant in the city for the brand, which also operates on Lothian Road and at the Ocean Terminal centre. The St Andrew Square development is home to other brands including Dishoom and Drake & Morgan.
Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn has opened its fourth Beer Kitchen in Glasgow. It will be a flagship bar and restaurant and includes an onsite microbrewery.
London craft brewer Hammerton Brewery is to launch its first pub in an agreement with Ei Commercial Properties, part of the Ei Group. It is the former Wig and Gown pub on Holloway Road, close to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. It will reopen in early summer after a major refurbishment. Hammerton is based nearby and already has a taproom, having re-established its brand in 2014, more than 50 years after it ceased brewing. Founder Lee Hammerton said: “We have been looking for a small local site for a number of months. Our regular taproom openings at the brewery have served as a great window for us to receive feedback from our customers on what they think about our beers. We have been asked many times about opening up our taproom more often but we have limited space at the brewery site and the open days affect production. So we are very pleased and excited to receive the keys to our first pub, especially as it is located so close to our brewery.”
Atul Kochhar is to open a new branch of his NRI Indian concept at the Mailbox in Birmingham in September. The original NRI—which stands for Not Really Indian—is in Mumbai, and the new Birmingham site will be a 5,125 square feet unit with 180 covers. Shelley Sandzer acted for Mailbox landlords Brockton Capital and Milligan, and its Lauren Wellman said: “NRI by Atul Kochhar is yet another fantastic addition to the premium retail and dining mix at the Mailbox. The debut restaurant will enhance the Mailbox’s position on the map of exciting and unique locations outside of London. Shelley Sandzer are proud to continue this strong relationship with Brockton Capital and Milligan, utilising our specialist and trusted knowledge to help confirm another world-class occupier.”
Nando’s has signed for an opening at the Clyde Shopping Centre in Clydebank. Scottish restaurant brand Tony Macaroni has also taken a unit there.
The Laine Pub Company has six new pubs after acquiring the New Pub Company from founder Peter Linacre. The pubs are in Hammersmith, Camden, Colliers Wood, New Malden, Whetstone and Claygate.
PizzaExpress has just opened on Gloucester Road in London.
Canadian coffeshop, restaurant and on the go brand Tim Hortons is to open on Argyle Street in early May as it tees up a concerted move into the UK market. Gurpit Dhaliwal, chief operating officer of Tim Hortons in the UK and Ireland, said: “We’ve witnessed Tim Hortons’ phenomenal success in Canada and wanted to replicate this in Great Britain… we’re positive it will fall in love with the brand.
Coffee brand Nespresso is opening on Broadwick Street in Soho this summer. It will be a second London coffeeshop, joining the first that opened on Cheapside in 2016. It will sell Nespresso products as well as housing a café.
The D&D London group has announced plans to open a brasserie restaurant at the Hudsons Yards development in Manhattan. It should open in autumn 2018.
