Caravan has opened its latest new coffeeshop, bar and all-day restaurant on Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia. It is situated in the former Radio 1 building and is open from 8am to 10.30pm in the week. It is a fifth location for Caravan, which also operates in King’s Cross, Exmouth Market, Bankside and the City.
Izakaya restaurant and bar concept Flesh & Buns, a spin-off from the Bone Daddies group, is to open a second restaurant on Berners Street in London in mid-September. It will have 170 covers and a push-for-pisco button among other features. The original Flesh & Buns is in Covent Garden.
Ramen restaurant concept Tonkotsu has launched its eight restaurant in Stratford. The 100-cover site is situated in the International Quarter close to the Olympic Park.
Craft beer bar and restaurant concept Pint Shop is opening a third bar in Bennetts Hill in Birmingham in October. It will be a third site for the brand, which also operates in Oxford and Cambridge.
The City Pub Group says it has acquired three pubs: the Traveller’s Friend in Woodford and two Jam Tree bars in Chelsea and Clapham. It has also exchanged contracts on a bar in Brighton.
Loungers has just opened the Orsino Lounge in Newton Abbot in Devon. It is in a unit previously run as s sports shop. The group has also recently opened the Rosso Lounge in Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.
North west pub operator Blind Tiger Inns has acquired a pub in Chorley for its 13th site. It has taken over the lease of the Rose & Crown, a Star Pubs & Bars site. Blind Tiger’s managing director Chris Tulloch said: “In our experience a safe, comfortable environment, great entertainment and outstanding quality coupled with good value for money are key to success in community pubs. It’s a tried and tested formula for us and is delivering 30% sales growth year on year at our pubs.”
Manchester-based Mission Mars is to turn its Albert’s Schloss Bohemian bar and restaurant brand into a multi-site operation after a new £10m investment from the British Growth Fund. Mission Bars runs several other concepts around the north west, and is now targeting UK cities for Albert’s Schloss.
Stonegate Pub Company is opening a new Slug & Lettuce all-day bar and restaurant in Sutton Coldfield, following the closure of its Yates bar there after six years in the town.
Pizza Punks is to open in Newcastle, taking over a unit previously occupied by Café Rouge. It should launch in September. The Pizza Punks concept launched in Glasgow and added a second site in Belfast in the spring.
Wagamama has started recruiting for its new restaurant at Gloucester Quays, local media report.
Ego Restaurants has signed to open at the Fox in Haslington in Cheshire, in a deal with Ei Commercial Properties. It will open in mid-August, providing Ego with a 17th site. Ego chief executive James Horler said: “The new site is located in a strong trading area for us with a good local customer base and we are confident that it will be a success.”
Nando’s has just opened at the Orbital shopping centre in Swindon—a second restaurant in the town for the brand. It is a 156-cover venue in a unit previously occupied by Pizza Hut.
The ETM Group has opened its bar and restaurant concept Maple at the Westfield London centre in White City. It is selling tanked beer and has a theatre kitchen and chef’s table as well as an all-day restaurant offer.
Goodman Restaurants’ Burger & Lobster operation is to launch a new spin-off concept called Shack by Burger & Lobster in Camden in September. It will be modelled on New England restaurants. Burger & Lobster runs eight London restaurants under its main format, and a Smack Lobster concept in Soho.
JD Wetherspoon has submitted plans for a new hotel and small bar in Welwyn Garden City. The proposals have generation opposition from some locals. Wetherspoon has also just secured permission to open at Glasgow’s Central Station—it sixth pub in the city.
Growing coffeeshop brand Black Sheep Coffee has announced two more new openings in August: in Shepherds Bush on 3 August, and Olympic Way in Wembley on 24 August. It follows a recent opening on Bow Lane in mid-July.
Coco di Mama launched in Paddington on Wednesday (1 August). It is its 22nd location in all.
Redcomb Inns will reopen its Alphabet bar and restaurant in Islington in mid-August after a refurbishment and menu revamp.
