The Riverwalk development in Durham has confirmed openings for both Turtle Bay and Cosy Club. They have taken 4,700 square feet and 5,300 square feet respectively. Riverwalk is due to open next year, and more restaurant openings are expected to be announced soon. Nick Berry, partner at Clearbell Capital, the fund managers for Riverwalk, said: “This is an exciting time for Durham as we continue to work on creating a truly mixed-use centre that will cultivate the local Durham economy and deliver improvements to the city’s day and night-time offering.”
Hippo Inns, the managed pub partnership between Ei and Geronimo co-founder Rupert Clevely, opens its tenth pub next week—the Royal Oak in Twickenham. It follows a £400,000 refurbishment. Clevely said: “I am incredibly proud of our latest venture. We’ve created an inviting and contemporary pub with a strong food offer and an exciting range of craft beers.”
Another Ei managed pub partnership, the Marmalade Pub Company, has meanwhile announced plans for its first venue—the Compton Cross in Soho, currently known as Molly Moggs. It will open in the late summer after a refurb. The Marmalade Pub Company has been set up with Ei by the Marylebone Leisure Group. The Compton Cross will specialise in home-infused spirits and cocktails and will preserve Molly Moggs’ reputation as an LGBT+ venue. Second and third Marmalade pubs, the Portobello Star in Notting Hill and the Crown and Treaty in Uxbridge, will follow later in the year. Co-founder Lawrence Santi said: “Soho is an incredibly vibrant area of London and we are so excited to be launching our first venue there.”
JD Wetherspoon has revealed plans for what will be its biggest pub yet: the Royal Victoria Pavilion on the seafront in Ramsgate in Kent. It is the result of a £4m spend over 10,500 square feet of space in what used to be a casino and dance hall. The space has been empty since 2008. Wetherspoon plans to open the pub on 29 August.
Celebrity chef Gino d’Acampo, Next and Individual Restaurants have signed a deal to open Prosecco bars and restaurants within Next stores. The first will be at the Next branches at the Kingswood Retail Park in Hull and the Arndale Centre in Manchester. Both are due to open in November.
Harry Ramsden’s has opened another restaurant under its partnership with the Welcome Break network—at the Charnock Richards service station off the M6. There are now 18 Harry Ramsden’s across the network. Brand director Frank Romano said: “This latest opening underlines the success of the partnership we enjoy with Welcome Break. Our presence within their network not only heightens our UK visibility but also offers the millions who use Welcome Break facilities annually the chance to enjoy our world-famous fish and chips.”
Thai brand Giggling Squid is opening at the Saw Close development in Bath. It has taken a unit with 150 covers, and 40 more on a terrace.
Five Guys is close to an opening in Plymouth, according to local media. It would be a second Devon restaurant for the brand, after Exeter. No location has been agreed yet, but the brand has been talking to British Land about the possibility of a launch at the Bretonside development.
Bistrot Pierre has submitted plans to open at a Grade II-listed former church in Preston city centre. The brand has also just opened its new Kidderminster restaurant—a 4,000 square feet operation at Riverside Walk.
Manchester bar and pizzeria operator Crazy Pedro’s is to open on Parr Street in Liverpool later in the year. It already operates in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and on Bridge Street, offering a wide range of mezcal and tequila as well as an eclectic pizza range.
YO! Sushi and TGI Friday’s have both reopened their restaurants at St David’s in Cardiff after refurbishments.
Scotland-based Italian group Tony Macaroni has secured permission to open at Union Square in Aberdeen.
Loungers is to open at the Yate shopping centre in Bristol. It has taken a 4,500 square feet unit and should open in early August. The group has meanwhile secured permission to open on the high street in Solihull.
Vegetarian and vegan operation Mildreds has picked up a fourth London site in Dalston. It will open later this year, joining branches in Soho, Camden and King’s Cross. The deal for the 3,400 square feet site was brokered by Davis Coffer Lyons.
Manchester street food operator the Hip Hop Chip Shop is opening a permanent restaurant at the Sawmill Court development in Ancoats.
Cardiff-based Indian street food concept Chai Street is opening a third branch in the city. It has taken a unit on Cardiff Bay’s Mermaid Quay.
Double Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurant Duddell’s is moving into the UK with an opening at the restored St Thomas’ Church in London Bridge. Shelley Sandzer acted in the deal for the 5,800 square feet property.
Canadian coffee shop Tim Hortons is continuing a move into the UK with a third site in Ayr. It follows a debut in Glasgow, with a second site in the city following soon.
Taco Bell is pushing into the south of England with a launch on Poole high street. It is the brand’s 17th site in the UK, and will be followed by a new operation in Bournemouth. Taco Bell has also lined up openings in Dartford, Woking and Glasgow.
