ON-TRADE NEWS: Latest openings – January 2007

Carluccio’s is set to expand northwards, with a new opening in Manchester planned for March this year…

The Italian restaurant and food group will open its 90-cover restaurant in The Trafford Centre, in a newly completed extension to the shopping complex. The group opened a restaurant in London’s Spitalfields last month, and also has plans for expansion in Walton-on-Thames and Covent Garden.

Wiltshire-based Hidden Brewery has rescued the Cornubia pub in Redcliffe, Bristol, which closed in July last year. The Cornubia has had various owners over the years, including The Courage Bristol Brewery, and has a loyal community following and a reputation for real ale. With last month’s opening of the Cornubia, The Hidden Brewery now owns two pubs.

Reading’s Pitcher & Piano has undergone a £350,000 refurbishment. After being closed for two months for a complete redesign, as well as an overhaul of food and drink selections, a VIP launch party returned the pub to full operation. This forms part of the chain’s comprehensive refurbishment programme, that has upgraded 17 bars since July 2003.

A sports-themed venue has opened in Rugby – a first for the Midlands town, despite its place in sporting history. The bar is the latest venue from Bar Sport, and represents an investment of over £1m, including what is apparently the UK’s first all-high-definition screen scheme. Last month’s launch was supported by the mayor of Rugby, as well as a number of sporting figures. Head of bar sport, Scott Murray, confirms that sports other than rugby will be screened at the venue.

London’s Covent Garden saw the launch of Sitaaray last month, a restaurant that combines Indian cuisine with Indian cinema. Named after the Hindi word for “stars”, Sitaaray is an authentic North Indian grill from the owner of Mayfair’s Chor Bizarre. With features such as individual booths dedicated to Indian film icons, the restaurant’s decor celebrates 75 years of Hindi film.

© db January 2007