A fund advised by Clearbell has announced that it has secured its first restaurant operator at the £30 million redevelopment of The Riverwalk (formerly The Gates shopping centre), in Durham. Handmade Burger Co will be opening a 3,350 sq ft unit on a 15 year lease when the development completes in Summer 2018.
The Durham branch will be Handmade Burger Co’s fourth in the North East – it currently has restaurants in the Metrocentre, Gateshead and The Gate in Newcastle, and is set to open a further Newcastle restaurant later this year at intu Eldon Square.
The news follows the announcement in March that ODEON Cinemas “Odeon” will be opening a 20,000 sq ft, six-screen cinema at The Riverwalk. Alongside Odeon, a variety of restaurants, 23 refurbished shops, 253 student rooms and improved entrances and public realm areas will also be created to enhance the area’s amenities both during the day and at night-time.
Christopher Sargeant, founder and owner at Handmade Burger Co, said: “We are really excited to be opening in such a great location such as Durham. Our success is driven by a passion for fresh, natural and handmade food as well as genuine hospitality. We have had many requests to come to Durham and we are looking forward to bringing over 40 different handmade burgers, made from scratch in the restaurant every single day to Durham’s The Riverwalk.”
Nick Berry, Partner at Clearbell Capital added: “We are looking forward to welcoming Handmade Burger Co to The Riverwalk alongside Odeon.
“The brand choosing to open at The Riverwalk will not only help us generate a vibrant mix of restaurants and provide the local catchment and customers from further afield with an enhanced food and beverage offer, but it is also a stepping stone to us creating one of the region’s premium retail, dining and leisure destinations.”
Since opening its first family-run restaurant in 2006 at Brindleyplace in Birmingham, Handmade Burger Co has continued to grow and now has 25 restaurants across the UK with plans to open more in 2017 and 2018.
The Other Retail Group is providing asset management and development advice for The Riverwalk. Cushman & Wakefield is the agent for The Riverwalk. Burley Browne acted for Handmade Burger Co.
