Four brands including Coco di Mama have signed up to open at the new White City Place development in west London. Also agreeing units there are The Athenian, a Greek concept that has previously been a street food operator; Pizza Street, for whom it is a second restaurant; and new US-style Butterscotch Bakery. For Coco di Mama, it is an 18th location. All four should be open by the end of the year. David Camp, chief executive of developer Stanhope, said: “The arrival of these four brilliant retailers demonstrates the dynamic and exciting food and beverage offer at White City Place.”
Mitchells & Butlers’ Harvester brand is trialling two new concept sites—at the Honey Pot in Basildon and the Running Horse in Maidstone. Both restaurants have new designs and menus that centre on grill and rotisserie chicken dishes. They also have new dessert stations and drinks stations with ‘mix your own’ options for children. Mitchells & Butlers’ divisional director Rob Pitcher said: “This is an exciting stage in the Harvester journey. We’ve taken time to understand the changes in the market and utilise our customer feedback to ensure we create an offer that meets our guests’ needs and embraces the latest trends.”
US better burger brand Smashburger will open its fifth UK location on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow in the next few weeks. It has previously set out ambitions to have 35 restaurants in the UK by the end of 2020.
Revolution Bars Group is to open in Putney after acquiring a site occupied by JD Wetherspoon.
Franco Manca is continuing its expansion beyond London with an opening on Clare Street in central Bristol. It should be open there before the end of the year, says the Bristol Post.
Bistrot Pierre opens its latest new restaurant in Middlesbrough next Friday (22 September). It is on Albert Road in the town, underneath the Holiday Inn Express hotel.
SOHO Coffee Co has reached the milestone of 40 sites with an opening on Gresham Street in London. It is the brand’s ninth location in London. Managing director Penny Manuel said: “Achieving such rapid growth, without compromise to our training, staff or renowned food and drink offering has been essential, but fully accomplished, and I am so proud of everyone… Here’s to the next 40 SOHO’s.”
MEATliquor has opened its second delivery-only site, in Battersea. It follows the success of the first venture in Canary Wharf.
Notting Hill café Farm Girl has opened a concession in Sweaty Betty’s flagship store on Carnaby Street in Soho. As well as its Australian-inspired healthy eating and coffee at breakfast and lunch, the concession will have a cocktail bar open until 7.30pm.
The Chelsea Sophie’s brand is to open a new restaurant and bar on Great Windmill Street on 1 November. Sophie’s Soho will incorporate a 125-cover all-day restaurant, bar and terrace, a 120-cover high-end steakhouse and an adjacent take-out operation. The venture is situated in the old Moulin Cinema. The original Sophie’s opened in 2002. Co-founder Sophie Bathgate said: “We’re notoriously picky about sites. We have to have an emotional reaction and essentially fall in love with a building. There is so much inspiration in the history of the building on Great Windmill Street and we want to reflect this in the creation of Sophie’s Soho—it had to be special.”
Steakhouse and grill concept Middletons has opened its seventh restaurant in Peterborough. The brand already has locations in Colchester, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Norwich and Watford. The new site has 180 covers over two floors and space for 50 more outside.
Martin Williams’ M Restaurants group has opened its third London site—the M Bar & Grill in Brewery Wharf in Twickenham. The group already has restaurants on Threadneedle Street and Victoria Street.
Chiswick pizza restaurant Tarantella is to open a second location in Acton.
