Revolution Bars Group says it is ready to open three new bars before Christmas—in Solihull, Inverness and Putney. Solihull is the first to open on Friday (1 December). Commercial director Myles Doran said: “The property team has worked tirelessly to secure these fantastic venues in high footfall locations and we are confident they will perform well. With three openings planned before Christmas, and in quick succession, we are able to capitalise on the key festive trading period.
Italian concept Vapiano opened its first Scottish restaurant last Friday—on St David Street in Edinburgh. It has taken a 8,800 square feet space over three floors. The site becomes its fifth UK location in all, with another Scottish site to launch in Glasgow next year. Managing director Phil Sermon said: “We’re very excited to be opening our doors and introducing our unique take on Italian food to not only Edinburgh but Scotland.”
Dirty Bones will launch its new restaurant at the Westgate Oxford shopping centre on Thursday (7 December).
Thai brand Giggling Squid says it will open its new restaurant in Bath in mid-January. It is taking on a 150-cover site in the Sawclose area previously occupied by Chimichanga.
The Fulham Shore group’s Real Greek brand opened at Cabot Circus in Bristol last weekend.
Pizza Express is gearing up for an opening at Rushden Lakes in Northamptonshire, local media report. Wagamama is also lining up a launch there.
Honest Burgers is about to launch in Reading—its second location outside London.
TGI Friday’s is readying a restaurant opening in Romford, local media report. It has applied for permission to launch in the Brewery centre.
Café, restaurant, bakery and patisserie concept Paul opens in Hammersmith’s Broadway centre on Monday (4 December). It will open from 6.30am to 9pm, and becomes Paul’s 36th location in the UK. Chief executive Jean-Michel Orieux said: “Hammersmith Broadway is one of west London’s major transport hubs. We feel that the addition of Paul to the centre… will be well received by commuters and tourists alike.”
London Cocktail Club has just opened on Bishopsgate by Liverpool Street—its ninth bar in London. The latest opening has a funfair theme.
Warrens Bakery, an on-the-go operator with around 60 locations around the UK, largely in Cornwall and the west country, has opened a new site on Devonshire Row—its first London location. Another site in the capital follows on New Street Square next week, with a Leadenhall location planned for 2018.
The Ivy Collection has set 14 December for the launch of its latest new Ivy Brasserie on St Helen’s Square in York.
On the go seafood operator Claw opens on Kingly Street in Carnaby in a couple of weeks. It joins the original Claw venture, a street food-style unit called City Street Café, on Finsbury Avenue Square in the City. Claw soft launches from 11 December.
The franchisee behind Canadian coffeeshop concept Tim Hortons has lined up a new opening at the Golden Square centre in Warrington as it continues an expansion into the UK.
Brewery and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse has secured permission to launch a new-build pub and restaurant in Swindon. It is slated to launch in early 2019.
Hollywood Bowl has reopened its Norwich venue, including a new US-style diner, following a £350,000 refurbishment.
A Bavarian-style venue called the Jägerhaus Bar has opened as a pop-up at Angel Central shopping centre in Islington. It will sell a German and European drinks menu, including beers and mulled wines and ciders, plus food including bratwurst and gulasch. It will be open until 23 December, and is being run by German Events. Matthew Barratt of CBRE Global Investors said: “The Jägerhaus Bar is an exciting food and drink pop-up that enhances our customer’s shopping experience over the festive period. Angel Central’s piazza is a busy thoroughfare between Upper Street and Liverpool Road, making it the perfect spot for a festive pop-up of this kind.”
