With the pace of many operators’ roll-outs showing no signs of flagging, there is new openings news this week from brands including The Diner, Leon, Inamo, Fuller’s, the Cocktail Trading Company, Loungers, Marston’s, New World Trading Company, All Bar One and CAU.
The Diner (pictured) will open its ninth site on London’s the Strand in March. It is a 115-cover unit and joins locations in Camden, Covent Garden, Islington, Soho, Shoreditch, Gloucester Road, Spitalfields and Dalston. Operations director Chris Todd said: “The success of 2015 across our existing sites has allowed us to take the next major step in The Diner’s development. With the vast footfall that’s associated with this iconic street, we’re excited by the huge potential to increase awareness of our offering.”
Leon opened its 11th and final new restaurant of 2015 in mid-December at Leadenhall in the City.
Pan-Asian concept Inamo opened its new Covent Garden restaurant in the first week of January. It is a relocation of its St Hames restaurant.
The Cocktail Trading Company has signed for a third permanent site—and new flagship—on the corner of Brick Lane and Bethnal Green in east London. The launch of the 400-capacity venue should come in late January, and there will be an in-house distillery and bar school as well as bar.
Fuller’s has acquired the lease for the Half Moon pub in Herne Hill. It had closed in 2013 after flooding.
Beds and Bars has opened its first franchised hostel in Copenhagen. More franchised openings are expected to follow in Europe.
Loungers has applied for permission to open on St Peters Street in Derby, local media report.
The New World Trading Company has confirmed an opening for its Botanist bar and restaurant brand in Knutsford in the spring. It has taken on the Knutsford Wine Bar in the town. The bar will be the UK’s eighth Botanist.
Marston’s has set April for the launch of a new-build pub restaurant at the Neats Court development on the Isle of Sheppey.
American-style operator Red Dog Saloon is launching a new sandwich shop concept at the Lakeside centre in Essex. The site will offer barbecue sandwiches from £4.50, including 12-hour smoked brisket and 16-hour pulled pork options, plus sides and sauces.
Mitchells & Butlers will continue to push its All Bar One brand into the travel hub space with an opening at Edinburgh Airport in the next few months.
CAU has reached 15 restaurants with the opening of its latest site at MediaCityUK in Salford. The 3,000 square feet restaurant has 110 covers.
Prezzo has applied to open a new restaurant in Carlisle, the town’s newspaper reports. It would be a 166-cover site over two floors.
BrewDog will open in York this spring. It has signed for a 2,500 square feet unit on the Micklegate street.
PizzaExpress has secured permission to open in Moseley.
Cote has said it hopes to open its new restaurant in Cirencester in March.
