Manchester Airport has unveiled 15 new openings for its revamped Terminal 2. Brands to launch there include San Carlo Cichetti, Barburrito, Wagamama, KFC, the ETM Group and Wrapchic, alongside locally-based operators Archie’s, Grindsmith, Pot Kettle Black and The Amber Alehouse, in partnership with Seven Bro7hers brewery. Some of the outlets are being launched on a franchise basis with HMS Host, SSP and TRG, and some on a direct basis. Andrew Cowan, CEO at Manchester Airport, said: “We have worked hard to identify partners that represent the strength and depth of the region’s food and drink scene and it is great to be working with so many brands that started life here in the North and have grown to become household names.” The new £1bn terminal is due to open in 2020.
US fried chicken brand Slim Chickens has opened its fourth UK restaurant with Hammerson at Grand Central in Birmingham. The 1,100 square feet unit is Slim Chickens’ second outside London, as it continues a rollout under Boparan Restaurant Group. Slim Chickens has previously operated in Birmingham as a pop-up at the Bullring. It follows operators including Herman Ze German and @pizza into Grand Central recently.
JD Wetherspoon has received approval for plans to open on the site of the old Central Bar in Glasgow Central Station. The proposed new bar will have capacity for 226 people. Wetherspoon runs five other pubs in Glasgow.
Nando’s has confirmed a restaurant opening at the Reading Gateway retail park. It will join brands operating there including Costa Coffee, Beefeater and Burger King. Nando’s has meanwhile just opened by East Croydon station—a third restaurant in Croydon.
The White Brasserie Company has made a planning application for an opening at the Kings Arms pub in Prestbury near Cheltenham, according to local media.
Steak restaurant concept Flat Iron will open its new site in Spitalfields next week. It has taken on a unit on Commercial Street previously run by PizzaExpress. It is a seventh location in London for Flat Iron.
Soho Italian deli and restaurant Lina Stores is opening a new site on Stable Street near Granary Square in King’s Cross. It will be a 100-cover restaurant and deli, and should be open in the autumn.
The northeast based Tomahawk Steakhouse group will open soon in Darlington and is also planning to launch new restaurants in Newcastle, Gateshead, Morpeth and Wynyard, according to local media. It currently has five sites, in Newcastle, Yarm, Ponteland, Potto and Husthwaite.
Brunning & Price has opened a new pub restaurant in Wordsley near Stourbridge. The Roe Deer is a conversion of a house.
US burger brand Five Guys has submitted plans to open a restaurant at Cathedral Square in Worcester.
Harrod’s has just opened its new-look food hall. Featuring elements including a sushi bar, pasta bar, grill and wine bar.
Manchester’s vegan restaurant Vertigo is to open a second site on First Street. It comes six months after the launch of the first Vertigo at the Royal Exchange building on Cross Street. The new site will have 45 covers inside and 20 more on a terrace.
A new Thai restaurant concept called Chalida has opened in a unit on Wardour Street in Chinatown previously run as Hot Pot. The 3,900 square feet restaurant has 150 covers and focuses on Chinese-Thai street food dishes. Elsewhere in Chinatown, C&R Café on Rupert Court has launched a new Malaysian deli concept called Rosa’s Malaysian Delicatessen.
Peruvian restaurant operator Lima is to open a casual Venezuelan food concept called Caracas at Westfield London in the autumn.
