Whitbread has just opened its latest new Bar + Block restaurant in a former bank building next to its Premier Inn hotel in Leamington Spa. It is part of a redevelopment of the hotel. The launch joins Bar + Block sites in Aldgate, Bath, Birmingham, Kings Cross, Nottingham and the Whiteley centre. Another launch is due in Wimbledon in February.
Whitbread is also to open a restaurant alongside a new Premier Inn hotel in Westferry in east London. Construction on the development, which also includes residential and retail space, is due to begin next summer. The hotel will be Whitbread’s largest to date outside of airports.
Fast growing Thai brand Giggling Squid has submitted plans for a new restaurant opening on Satchwell Court in Leamington Spa, according to local media. It wants to take on a unit previously occupied by steakhouse chain CAU.
Honest Burgers has confirmed plans for a new restaurant in Brighton. It is taking on a lease in a building previously run as Pascere restaurant, which will now relocate. Honest Burgers co-founders Tom Barton and Phil Eeles first met in Brighton and developed the company’s concept there.
African and Caribbean influenced concept Manjaros has soft-launched its new restaurant in Huddersfield, ahead of a full opening in the new year. It is a tenth location for the brand, adding to Manjaros restaurants in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, London, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Glasgow and Preston.
On the go healthy eating brand Abokado has just opened its latest new store on King Street in Hammersmith. It is the first time it has ventured outside central London for an opening, and the site will be the first Abokado to trade at weekends as well as during the working week.
A new pan-Asian concept from the team behind Newcastle’s noodle and sushi brand Nudo has opened at Eldon Square’s Grey’s Quarter. Umai Mi has taken over a unit previously occupied by the Handmade Burger Co and is open from 10am to 10pm every day.
Marston’s will open a new-build pub at the Trevenson Gateway development in Cornwall in February, local media report. It will be called The Copper Coast.
International Quarter London, the new mixed-use development in Stratford from Lendlease and LCR, has signed two local independent operators. Bakery Signorelli and Italian restaurant Figo will take units of 1,100 and 3,000 square feet respectively. They are second sites for both brands, and Figo is a new venture from Bella Vita in Hackney. The openings join names already signed to the development, including Tonkotsu and Pret.
Halal Guys, a New York-based restaurant group, will open three sites in London under franchise in 2019, with the first on the site of the L’Ulivo restaurant in Leicester Square. The other two locations are yet to be announced. Halal Guys launched in New York as a street food venture in 1990, and now has 450 sites in six countries. ITICO F&B will be managing the franchise.
Newcastle’s The Naked Deli concept has opened its fifth site on Grey Street in the city.
Brewery Everards is opening a new pub in Northamptonshire after acquiring the Admiral Nelson in Braunston. The deal for the site was brokered by Christie & Co.
The City Pub Company has acquired the Chapel 1877 pub in Cardiff. The former chapel building was converted into a bar and restaurant about ten years ago.
Liverpool-based pie specialist Homebaked is opening a new restaurant on Oakfield Road in the city. The company is also running a pop-up in Liverpool’s Baltic Market for the next few weeks and is expanding its bakery production facilities.
Leeds pizza restaurant Livin’ Italy is opening a new site called Dough House near the Corn Exchange in the city early in the new year. It will specialise in pizzas and cocktails. Livin’ Italy is a broader Italian concept and operates at Granary Wharf in Leeds.
Leon has acquired a second site in Washington DC as it continues US expansion plans. The restaurant on New York Avenue will launch in late spring.
