Itsu Richmond to reopen after fire

The restaurant, which opened in 2014, has been closed for 10-months but will reopen tomorrow (22 July) with new customer-facing technology at its core.

The new-look restaurant has undergone what the company describes as a ‘dramatic digital transformation’ with the installation of ordering kiosks that will allow customers to browse the menu, check nutritional information and personalise hot dishes with additions such as eggs, chargrilled chicken, and plant-based meatballs.

The company is also recruiting what it calls Itsu ‘senseis’ – its equivalent to Apple’s ‘geniuses’ – who will be on hand to help customers navigate the menu and answer any questions.

"It’s been a long journey rebuilding our restaurant - we’ve been overwhelmed by local support and are delighted to be opening our doors with an even better menu and customer experience next week,” says chief customer officer Neil Miller.

Itsu operates 72 venues across the UK and will open its seventh venue this year at Bristol’s Cribbs Causeway.

The 2,610sq ft, 72-cover Bristol restaurant is located on the upper level of the Mall, near the food court, and will comprise a mezzanine and ground floor level space. It is due to open on 29 July and will join the Itsu at Broadmead in the city, which opened in 2106.

“This is a fantastic new spot for Itsu in the Mall at Cribbs Causeway, says director of property Vish Talreja. We’ve taken a large square footage in The Mall in order to offer spacious dine-in options as well as healthy and affordable takeaway options to enjoy at the Cribbs Summer Beach.”

Other recent openings for the company include Chelmsford, Aberdeen and Woking.