With the news that Carluccio’s have chosen Derby as the first location outside of London to open their ‘new generation’ concept, and over 15 new restaurants secured by FHP in the past 18 months, there’s a stark contrast in the city from now and then, so what’s happened to make national names actively seek space here?
It’s been somewhat of a snowball effect, with £300 million being invested in the city on recent schemes, including the high tech ‘Infinity’ business park, and the new velodrome. More and more names who previously may not have considered the location are being drawn in by the market’s potential and strong catchment.
Intu Derby, which has an annual footfall of 25 million shoppers, is a prime example. MEXIco, Joe’s Kitchen, Yo! Sushi, Byron and Zizzi all opened in the past year, transforming the dining offer at the centre. FHP have also pre-let space to Hollywood Bowl and Paradise Island Golf for a 42,000 sq ft leisure extension, which is due to open early 2017 and set to see dwell time increase.
Carluccio’s is the 16 th bar/restaurant secured by FHP in the past 2 years and will open at intu Derby in the coming months. This follows its successful pilot in London’s Spitalfields, incorporating open plan kitchens, communal kitchen tables and integrated retail areas.
Other established brands have also opened on Derby’s high street including Las Iguanas and Prezzo who took units on Friar Gate next to Zizzi’s original Derby venue, and the popular chain ‘Turtle Bay’ also opened just minutes away on the Wardwick, serving up cocktails and traditional Caribbean food.
David Hargreaves, Director of FHP, comments:
“Derby has been under served for far too long, which is surprising given the wealth of investment and its strong catchment. It is now finally getting the quality of operators you would expect to see in a city of its size. ”Local names have also established themselves in the designated independent district of the Cathedral Quarter.
Venues including ‘Annie’s Bar and Grill’ and micropub ‘Hop Gate’ both opened in the past two years on Sadler Gate as well as ‘Brooklyn Social’, who went on to be crowned winners of Best Bar & Best Newcomer at the Derby Food & Drink Awards 2015 where the total amount of nominations were up 60% on the previous year, which is telling in itself.
Alan Pearson, Director of FHP, comments:
“This is far from the end of catering and leisure interest, with further lettings still to be announced. The city is now being recognised for its untapped potential, which is clearly shown by the wealth of brands we have been able to attract to the city.”
Other names to have come to Derby include National café bar ‘Loungers’, who opened Derby’s own ‘Carnero Lounge’ on St Peters Gate, Cosy Club opened its doors in April on Cornmarket and Bar Sports opened their 4th UK venue nearby on Queen St last year.
Darran Severn of FHP’s Retail and Leisure team comments:
“Interest in the leisure sector continues to grow and shows no signs of slowing, there are currently a number of regional and national operators still looking for space within the Wardwick and Friar Gate area of town. We are due to exchange contracts on another bar on Friar Gate shortly and ice cream parlour ‘Diletto’ is due to open soon on East Street. With few options available, I envisage the next area of interest to be Victoria Street, where we are already in negotiations with a restaurant operator linking the leisure and retail pitches.”
