Grosvenor, who are developing the new Arts Complex in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter alongside Southampton City Council, has announced that Delicious Dining, the South’s largest independently owned hospitality group, is the first company to sign up for the commercial units.
Grosvenor said it was a landmark announcement for the £40m scheme, one of the Council’s VIP projects that is transforming this important area of the city.
Delicious Dining will be opening a brand new 5000 sq ft restaurant called Tapas Barcelona, which will have entrances on Guildhall Square and Guildhall Place , the thoroughfare joining the Guildhall Sq to East Park.
Delicious Dining’s CEO Steve Hughes said: “The restaurant, which will occupy the ground floor, will offer small plates from Spain and Latin America and very much reflect the cultural vision of the development.
“I’m a big supporter of the Cultural Quarter and find Southampton City Council’s regeneration plans, supported by Grosvenor, tremendously exciting. As a local business we are thrilled to have agreed terms and look forward to the fitting out phase starting in May 2015 with the official opening in the summer.”
Delicious Dining has 15 hotels and restaurants in its portfolio including the Banana Wharfe and Grand Cafe brands.
Simon Armstrong, Project Director at Grosvenor, said: “It has always been our vision to deliver a scheme where people want to live, work and visit and agreeing terms with Delicious Dining, the region’s largest hospitality group, is a fitting endorsement for what we are looking to achieve.”
“We are delighted to welcome Steve Hughes and his team and we know Tapas Barcelona will be a brilliant addition to the Southampton restaurant scene in general and the Cultural Quarter in particular.”
The new art complex scheme incorporates facilities for City Eye, the University of Southampton’s John Hansard Gallery and a multi-purpose performing arts centre with two flexible performance spaces and a dance studio. It also includes seven restaurant/retail units and The Guildhall Apartments, 38 apartments with views over the City.
14 January 2015