Market Halls, the major new food halls concept from Pitt Cue’s Simon Anderson and property investor Andy Lewis-Pratt, will open three venues in London this year. The first will be in an old ticket hall by the station in Fulham Broadway, followed by Victoria’s Terminus Place in the summer and a flagship venue in the downstairs of the former BHS building just off Oxford Street. Operators for the food halls are yet to be named, but Market Halls says they will include restaurants, street food vendors, retailers and bars. Three more London launches are due to be announced later in the year.
Nando’s has launched the first site in its new small format Nino concept. It has been set up for quick service, on the go, takeaway and delivery services, with a different menu to conventional Nando’s restaurants. The first Nando’s Nino is on King Street in Twickenham. Announcing the site on its website, Nando’s said: “We’ve concentrated everything into a much smaller space, streamlined our menu, added some extra specials and changed some things you’ll experience.”
Rosslyn Coffee, a new coffeeshop concept from the team behind Caravan, has secured a lease for its first site—on Queen Victoria Street opposite Mansion House station in the City. The site was secured via Savills.
The Alchemist has set 10 February for the opening of its 13th bar and restaurant in Nottingham. It follows the £1.6m conversion of a 6,600 square feet, two-floor space on King Street in the City, previously occupied by Hard Rock Café. Managing director Simon Potts said: “We’ve had our sights set on Nottingham for a while, and we’re pleased it’s finally come to fruition. It’s a real joy to be able to announce positive plans for our continued growth at a time when there seems to be a lot of uncertainty in the sector.”
Novus launched its third Tank and Paddle bar on Heddon Street near Regent Street on Wednesday. It makes a move into the West End for the brand, which already operates two sites in the City. The concept combines craft beers from tanks and pizzas. On Thursday, Novus also launched its 11th Balls Brothers venue on Churchill Place in Canary Wharf, following a £500,000 refurbishment of a two-floor space. Novus chief executive Toby Smith said: “A big week for the Novus group. We are delighted to be launching our first site in Canary Wharf following the acquisition of the Rocket group in 2017 and taking our love for craft beer and great pizza from the City to open in what is one of the very best sites in the UK.
Plant-based burger concept Vurger Co has acquired its first restaurant in Shoreditch. It plans to open there in mid-March. Vurger Co has previously operated as a pop-up at events and festivals in London.
Caribbean concept Turtle Bay opened its latest new restaurant in Winchester last weekend.
Prezzo plans to open in Borehamwood in March, local media report.
Pub restaurant group Brunning & Price has made a first acquisition of 2018—the Arrow Mill in Alcester in Warwickshire. The refurbished pub will open in the summer, joining 2018 openings for the group that include a new pub in Cheltenham in the next few weeks. The deal was secured with Christie & Co, which is now helping Brunning & Price find sites around the country, including around cities like York, Oxford and Milton Keynes.
The Ivy Collection has confirmed plans to open a brasserie in Norwich as it continues the rollout of its restaurant brands. The all-day venue will open in the summer. Openings in more major UK cities are being lined up.
The Coach in Clerkenwell has reopened as a pub and restaurant under a partnership between Racine’s Henry Harris and James McCulloch, owner of pubs including the Harcourt in Marylebone and the Three Cranes in the City. The two-floor venue has French and British influenced food and a bar area.
Tapas Revolution has signed up to open a 3,000 square feet restaurant at the Northgate development in Chester. Work on a project to convert space into restaurants is due to begin later in the year. Tapas Revolution already operates at Westfield London, Bluewater, Birmingham, Newcastle and Bath.
PizzaExpress opens its latest new restaurant at Rushden Lakes in Northamptonshire in the next few weeks. The 196-cover restaurant joins operates already at Rushden Lakes including Bill’s, Patisserie Valerie and Wildwood.
Australian-inspired healthy eating café concept Farm Girl is opening a new all-day restaurant on Park Walk in Chelsea in February. The original Farm Girl is on Portobello Roads, and it also has a concession at the Sweaty Betty shop on Carnaby Street.
Isidora Popovic, who sells baked goods at various markets around London, is opening a first bricks and mortar site—a café and deli called Popina on Duke Street in Mayfair. It will launch in mid-February.
Hollywood Bowl has reopened its venue in Ladywood in Birmingham after a £400,000 refurbishment. The offer now includes a new US-style Hollywood Diner.
