Pho and Tapas Revolution among confirmed restaurants for Birmingham's Grand Central
The shopping centre's leasing director Keith Stone said so far 80 per cent of the floor space had been signed or was under offer with almost all of the 20 restaurant and cafe spaces taken.
"The Grand Central offer will have a hugely positive impact on the city’s retail attraction and will bring in much new spend and new customers. With over 50 million people a year visiting Grand Central and the station, we will have some of the highest pedestrian flows in the country.
"To have nearly 80 per cent signed or under offer at this stage is a great endorsement of the project. The commitment of premium retailers such as White Company, L’Occitane and Kiehls and the overwhelming demand for the restaurants and cafes from some truly great brands heralds the prospective success of this new retail destination in the heart of the city.”
Restaurant sign-ups
The restaurant and cafe brands signed up include Yo! Sushi, Giraffe and Carluccios, who will open its largest Birmingham restaurant within the scheme. Pho, Tortilla, Tapas Revolution, Fuel juice bar, Crepe Affaire and Caffe Concerto, who were first to exchange, will also be making their debut in Birmingham.
Pho managing director and founder Stephen Wall said the centre was the ideal location for the Vietnamese restaurant's first move outside London and the South East.
"Since opening London’s first Vietnamese street food restaurant in Clerkenwell in 2005, we have expanded with a further six restaurants in London, and one in Brighton. In moving out into the regions, Grand Central Birmingham was the ideal location for us – a visionary design and great central location, plus the vibrancy of the view over the busiest rail concourse outside London all makes a great setting.”
An exact opening date for Grand Central, which will replace the Palisades shopping centre, is expected to be confirmed early next year. When completed it will provide 200,000 sq ft of retail space for more than 40 fashion and lifestyle stores, a 250,000 sq ft John Lewis department store and 20 cafes and restaurants.
Chris Montgomery, Network Rail project director said: “The redevelopment of New Street station and Grand Central will provide a world class transport and retail hub for the people of the West Midlands and beyond and when Grand Central opens, many customers will be coming into the city for the first time in many years."
