The year has begun with another flurry of openings news from brands including Red’s, Smashburger, Carluccio’s, Busaba Eathai, Le Bistrot Pierre, Marston’s, Loungers, Côte, Bella Italia and many more.
Red’s True Barbecue (pictured) will open a two-floor restaurant on Eccleshall Road in Sheffield in April—its seventh UK site to date. It is on a spot previously occupied by Café Rouge, covering 5,400 square feet and with 130 covers.
American better burger concept Smashburger will launch in Kingston in east Milton Keynes in May. It thinks it can open 35 restaurants in the next few years, with several cities already lined up.
Carluccio’s is to launch a new quick service on the go concept on Tottenham Court Road towards the end of February. It is called Via Carluccio’s and offers an all-day range from 7am to the early evening. It is likely to be rolled out to other London locations after the debut. Carluccio’s has also announced that it will open on the Grove in Ilkley on 15 February.
Busaba Eathai is to join the Liverpool ONE development. It joins brands including Wahaca, Red’s and Turtle Bay there.
Le Bistrot Pierre will open on Gas Street in Birmingham in the spring. It will be its 15th restaurant in all. The company acquired the site three years ago but has only just received final planning approval for the development of the listed building.
Marston’s has secured approval for a new-build pub in Skelmersdale in Lancashire. It will be a 180-capacity pub.
Loungers is to open in Wellingborough. It will be called the Castello Lounge.
Côte has applied for planning permission to open on Church Street in Peterborough.
Bella Italia is opening at the Marine Point scheme in New Brighton.
Mitchells & Butlers will open an All Bar One and Miller & Carter at the Cathedral Square development in Worcester.
A new customized pizza concept called Wedge Issue Pizza and Craft Beer will open on Clerkenwell Road in February. Customers can choose their base, sauces and combinations of around 20 toppings, with pizzas costing £8.50. The restaurant is also selling beers from various craft brewers in London. It is now in a soft launch phase.
The Affinity Bars & Restaurants group will open its fourth restaurant called Dickie Fitz on Newman Street in late February. It will be an all-day concept influenced by Australian and Pacific cooking, with 45 covers downstairs and the same number on a second floor. The restaurant succeeds the Newman Street Tavern and is Affinity’s fourth site.
Jason and Irha Atherton’s Social Company will launch its seventh London restaurant on 7 March—a Japanese izakaya concept called Sosharu. It will be within the Turnmill building on Clerkenwell Road. A Tokyo-style cocktail bar called Seven Tales will be in the basement.
Prezzo’s Chimichanga brand has signed to open at the intu shopping centre in Derby in April.
Frankie & Benny’s has secured permission to open at the Overgate shopping centre in Dundee.
Le Pain Quotidien will make its first move out of London with an opening at Bicester Village next Friday (29 January). The restaurant will have 155 covers and another 60 on a terrace, and will be Le Pain Quotidien’s 26th site in all.
The Tasty group has submitted plans to open a branch of its Wildwood restaurant format on Crawley’s high street.
The Urban Leisure Group will launch a pizza and beer concept called Heist Bank in Paddington in late February or early March, plus a new Alice House bar in East Putney. It is also readying a gin-based bar concept for Hackney Wick and a 1970s-themed concept for West Hampstead.
Papa John’s has opened in Crewe.
