Premium bar and restaurant brand the Alchemist has signed for its tenth site—a 4,700 square feet venue on St John Street in Chester city centre that was previously occupied by Gin Rickey’s and Luke’s Eating House. The Alchemist will spend £1.1m on a major refurb before opening in July. Managing director Simon Potts said: “We’re incredibly proud to be opening our tenth site, just six years after the brand’s inception… in a city rich in heritage with a bustling nightlife, [it] demonstrates the dedication and commitment of The Alchemist team. 2017 is set to be our most exciting year yet, as consumer demand increases for richer, immersive and shareable bar and restaurant experiences.”
Loungers’ all-day Cosy Club brand opened in a large former furniture store on Fossgate in York on Thursday (20 April). It is a two-floor bar and restaurant venue. Loungers now has around Cosy Clubs across the UK.
Honest Burgers made its first move beyond London when it opened on Corn Exchange Street in Cambridge on Monday (17 April). It has taken over a unit previously run by PizzaExpress’ Reys chicken concept. Honest Burgers has 20 restaurants in London but is now seeking opportunities beyond the capital.
Leon opened its first restaurant in the north of England at the Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester on Monday (17 April). It is planning a second Manchester location near Piccadilly station in the city centre.
Five Guys has acquired a restaurant unit on Clapham High Street as it continues its rapid roll-out around the UK. It has meanwhile applied for permission to open in Redfield Way in Nottingham—a second restaurant in the city.
Carluccio’s officially launches its major new restaurant in York on Friday (21 April). It is calling the venue, on St Helen’s Square, its northern flagship
YO! Sushi opens a pop-up operation at Croydon Boxpark next Thursday (27 April).
Furniture and homeware business Ikea is planning to open more standalone café-restaurants in UK city centres, according to reports.
Peruvian brand Senor Ceviche will open on Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia in May. It is a second site for the operator, which already runs in Kingly Court in Carnaby.
Hawaiian concept Ahi Poké is opening a second restaurant at the Nova development at Victoria ahead of a planned roll-out. The concept launched on Percy Street in Fitzrovia last year, and is backed by the BVC group.
Prezzo has launched in the new Southern Quarter sector of the Telford shopping centre.
New York-style concept Dirty Bones will open its fourth restaurant and cocktail bar on Denman Street in Soho next Saturday (29 April). It joins Dirty Bones locations in Kensington, Carnaby and Shoreditch.
Marston’s has secured approval for a new pub restaurant on the Gourdie Industrial Estate in Dundee. Local officers had advised rejecting the proposal, but councilors approved it at a meeting. Another opening, a drive-through by Starbucks, has also been approved.
Nando’s has opened in Belfast—its fourth restaurant in the city and its fifth in Northern Ireland. The latest opening is at the Abbey centre.
Better burger concept Patty & Bun has opened on Pembridge Road in Notting Hill. It is a 60-cover restaurant including counter seating, and is Patty & Bun’s eighth restaurant in all, alongside sites in Marylebone, Liverpool Street, Soho, Shoreditch, Fitzrovia and Hackney, where it has two.
Wagamama has just opened its first restaurant in Spain. It has launched a 180-cover site in Madrid under a franchise agreement that will see another restaurant open in the city in June, with plans for around 20 locations across Spain and Portugal in the next five years.
