26/02/2019
Mowgli secures site for Sheffield restaurant
Mowgli, the Indian street food concept founded by Nisha Katona and backed by the Foresight Group, has secured a new site on Ecclesall Road in Sheffield, which plans to open in spring this year. Propel reports that the restaurant also operates two venues in Liverpool as well as ones in Birmingham, Oxford, Nottingham, Manchester Corn Exchange and most recently Manchester's University Green development on Oxford Road. Further openings are planned for Leicester and Cardiff this year, as well as suggestions of a launch in Preston.
Hard Rock Hotel to open in Marble Arch
The Hard Rock Hotel London is set to open on the 30th April, occupying the former Cumberland hotel in Marble Arch, reports The Caterer. Marking the first Hard Rock Hotel in the UK, the hotel is to be one of London's largest with roughly 900 suites and rooms, which has been redesigned by Scott Brownrigg. Owned and operated by GLH Hotels, the hotel will pay tribute to former residents Jimi Hendrix, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder.
Lucky Onion to open Gin & Juice in Cheltenham
The Lucky Onion, the Cotswolds-based hotel and restaurant group, is set to open its second Gin & Juice site on Thursday 28th February. With an existing Gin & Juice in Cardiff, the second site will be located in Cheltenham's The Promenade. Propel announced that the concept has a further five openings planned for 2019. Lucky Onion is now owned by Julian Dunkerton, the entrepreneur behind Dunkertons Organic Cider and Superdry. Gin & Juice offers over 350 types of gin, an all-day brunch menu and cocktails.
Crystal Maze-style concept plans Newport venture
A Somerset-based paintball company has submitted plans to open a Crystal Maze-style venue in Newport. Propel reports that the adventure-style venue is intended for a 4,445 square foot industrial estate venue in Mariner Way. Although the name is yet to be confirmed, the activity will involve a group of six people solving both physical and mental problems over a two hour period; and the premises will also house a paintball experience.
Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs' hotel joins Tribute Portfolio
Hotel Football, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs' Manchester hotel, has joined Marriott International's soft brand for independent hotels, Tribute Portfolio. Former Manchester United players Philip Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt along with Giggs and Neville as well as Singaporean businessman Peter Lim still remain the majority owners. Management company, GG Hospitality, will continue to operate the 133-bedroom hotel. The Caterer reports that the property is Tribute Portfolio's second UK hotel, alongside the Great Northern Hotel in King's Cross, London.
And Finally...
A specialist sausage restaurant, X-Upper, in set to launch on Upper Street in London at the beginning of March, according to Big Hospitality. The menu, headed up by chef James Tanner of Saturday Kitchen and Ready Steady Cook and has been curated by top-rated chefs, who each created a recipe for each sausage on the menu.