FOLLOWING November’s opening of pizza and cider restaurant, the Stable, Grosvenor has announced that the commercial element of the arts complex in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter is now fully let.

Five national brands will be opening at the scheme, alongside two local operators.

The majority of restaurants will open by the end of the year. GBK and Mettricks will open in early 2016, once the pedestrianised link between Guildhall Square and East Park re-opens.

Simon Armstrong, project director at Grosvenor, said: “Our ambition for this element of the new arts complex was to secure a variety of restaurants and cafes that would appeal to everyone living in, studying in, working in and visiting the Cultural Quarter.

“I’m very pleased that we are now 100 per cent let. The operators who have chosen to open here complement each other really well and are a good fit with Southampton’s Cultural Quarter.”

Cllr Councillor Simon Letts, leader of Southampton City Council, added: “It is fantastic news that the commercial element of the arts complex is now fully let.

“This extensive range of new restaurants, cafés and bars will add even more vibrancy to the Cultural Quarter, and makes the area into a real destination for visitors and residents alike.

“It also demonstrates how the arts complex will provide an economic boost for the city, bringing investment to Southampton and creating jobs for local people”.

In addition to the seven restaurants, the arts complex scheme incorporates The Guildhall Apartments – 38 residential apartments with views over the city.

Daily Echo:

The arts complex element will be run by Nuffield Theatre and will provide facilities for City Eye, the University of Southampton’s John Hansard Gallery and a multi-purpose performing arts centre with two flexible performance spaces, a dance studio and a bistro café/bar.

Galliford Try was appointed in October this year to complete the £12.6 million fit out of the arts facilities by end of 2016.

The full list of operators is:

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK), which was set up in 2001 by three New Zealanders in London and now has more than 60 restaurants across the UK;

Costa Coffee, which is promoted as the nation’s favourite coffee shop;

Nandos, the international piri piri chicken restaurant operator originating in South Africa;

The Stable, which is part of Fullers Smith & Turner PLC;

Mettricks, Southampton’s specialist Tea and Coffee House;

Neighbourhood, a brand run by Faucet Inn Ltd, will open a 2,987 sq ft bar and restaurant.

Tapas Barcelona will be a 5,000 sq ft restaurant from Delicious Dining, the south’s largest independently owned hospitality group.