he Riverside North development in Bedford has confirmed that Coal Grill and Bar, Miller & Carter, Bella Italia and Gourmet Burger Kitchen will all open there. The operators are now fitting out their units, though opening dates have yet to be announced. More brands including Wagamama are also lined up for future openings at Riverside North.
Radio Alice, the pizza concept backed by the Azzurri Group, has secured a second London site on Venn Street in Clapham. It follows Radio Alice’s debut restaurant in Hoxton. The latest venue is a 2,000 square feet unit with space for 80 covers inside and 40 outside. The deal was struck for Radio Alice by Shelley Sandzer. Salvatore Aloe, co-founder of Radio Alice, said: “This prime location is exactly what we wanted—community is central to the Radio Alice ethos and this is perfectly reflected in the close-knit feel of the Clapham neighbourhood.” Shelley Sandzer partner Casey Phillips said: “Clapham is a great location for Radio Alice’s new home, and in particular Venn Street, which already benefits from al fresco dining and is soon to be pedestrianised.”
Loungers and Five Guys have both been confirmed for openings at Bruntwood’s University Green scheme in Manchester. They have both taken 3,175 square feet units, and will launch operations with 120 and 88 covers respectively. A Co-op Food opening has also been confirmed. All sites will open in summer 2018. Justin Carter, Loungers’ chief operating officer, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this landmark new development and sit alongside a growing line-up of brilliant brands.”
Côte is to open at the Trinity Leeds development in the summer. It has taken on a 4,700 square feet unit on the first floor of the centre previously occupied by Mamas and Papas.
The Soho House group has opened The Ned, its major new hotel and restaurant operation on Poultry in the City. It has eight restaurant operations including Italian concept Cecconi’s, the British Millie’s Lounge, American operations Lutyens Grill, the Nickel Bar, Zobler’s Delicatessen and Malibu Kitchen, the Asian-Pacific Kaia and French Café Sou. There are 252 rooms plus leisure facilities and members-only areas. The Ned is located in the old Midland Bank building, designed by Ned Lutyens.
Turtle Bay has set the opening date for its new Peterborough restaurant—25 June. It has converted an old retail unit off St John’s Square in the town, and will have a 180-cover restaurant there.
Wahaca has secured permission to open on Temple Street in Birmingham. The plans approved by the city council are for a conversion of ground and floor space in a former bank into a 140-cover restaurant.
A new burger brand called Shake N Burger is to open at the Frenchgate shopping centre in Doncaster at the end of May. It has taken over a 2,600 square feet unit previously occupied by Ed’s Easy Diner. It joins several other brands arriving at Frenchgate recently, including Patisserie Valerie. Shake N Burge founder Lee Edwards said: “Frenchgate shopping centre is an ideal location for our debut site and we are excited to start sharing our fantastic and authentic food in Doncaster.”
The Hollywood Bowl group opened its 56th centre this week, at Derby’s Intu centre. It has a Hollywood Diner and bar as well as 18 bowling lanes.
TGI Friday’s has applied for permission to open at the Middlebrook development in Bolton, local media report. It wants to convert a retail unit there, and plans to open in 2018 if approval is given.
The team behind Taiwanese restaurant BAO will open a new venue called Xu on Rupert Street in Soho on 23 May. It will be a two-floor site with a 76-cover restaurant, cocktail bar, tea bar and private dining space.
Healthy eating concept Friska has signed for an opening at the Manchester Science Park in the summer. It continues an expansion for the group, which has seven sites in Bristol and one in Birmingham.
A new US-style diner called Melrose Diner has opened is Isleworth in west London. It has been developed by Alex Winchester, who was previously operations director at Village London and Ricker Restaurants. The Diner has a menu of classic Americana dishes, plus signature cocktails, and is situated on London Parade in Isleworth.
Italian craft beer and cocktail concept The Italian Job opens a new London site in Notting Hill on Thursday (11 May). The operator’s first launch was in Chiswick.
Nando’s will open in Altrincham in early August, local media report. It has taken on a 2,300 square feet unit that has previously been occupied by McDonald’s.
Toby Carvery will open at the Cradle Bridge retail park in Trowbridge on 22 May, local media report. It will have seating for 160 people and will open for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner.
Mexican restaurant concept El Mexicana has applied for permission to open two restaurants in Norwich: at the Castle Mall shopping centre and in the town’s Tombland area.
SOHO Coffee Co has opened in the Debenhams store at the Birmingham Bullring—its first launch in the city. It will be the first site to provide SOHO’s new afternoon tea offer. Managing director Penny Manuel said: “We are delighted to have opened in Birmingham over the weekend and think that the store offers something new and exciting in the Bullring.”
Las Iguanas is opening in Johannesburg in South Africa under franchise in June. The launch is being planned with the Golden Brands group.
