Southampton: Grosvenor announces major retail tenants for art complex

As the new arts complex in Southampton’s Cultural Quarter sheds its scaffolding, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland has confirmed three additional tenants for the scheme’s retail element. The three brands: The Stable, Faucet Inn and Nandos join previously announced tenant Tapas Barcelona.

Simon Armstrong, project director at Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, said four out of seven commercial units have now been let, with the remainder under offer.  He added:  “We’re pleased to have secured a varied mix of operators that complement each other so well.  They’re a perfect fit for our vision of delivering a varied and compelling restaurant offering in a location where people will want to live, work and visit.”

The Stable, founded in an old stable block in Dorset, is a ‘cathedral’ to cider and gourmet pizzas. It offers over 80 varieties of craft cider as well as freshly-made pizzas with exciting toppings using local ingredients. The restaurants are unique in design, inspired by Dorset countryside pubs, with long wooden tables, candles and cosy fires.

From rural Dorset, the chain has expanded to eight locations including Bristol and Bath, and chose the arts complex as its first Southampton site. Nicki Cooper, founder of The Stable, is excited about the opportunity: “We are delighted to secure this prime site. The city has a great dining and bar scene which we are thrilled to become a part of. We feel that the arts complex will be a fantastic complement to our artisan brand.”

Faucet Inn operates an eclectic collection of 22 pubs, bars and hotels nationally, including Tap Room and Cargo in Southampton.

It is planning a 2,987 sq ft bar and restaurant in the arts complex that will trade under the name ‘Neighbourhood’, a brand which is flourishing in London’s East Village in the former Olympic Park. It will offer a diverse selection of internationally-sourced craft beers, well-kept cask ales, premium wines and spirits and a mezzanine boasting views across East Park.

Faucet Inn’s owner Steve Cox said: “I know from experience that Southampton has a thriving restaurant scene and the Cultural Quarter is a great location to introduce our unique Neighbourhood concept. We’re thrilled to be a part of it.”

Nandos, the international peri peri chicken restaurant operator founded in South Africa, has 1,000 restaurants in 30 countries across the world. It currently operates from Southampton’s West Quay and The Swan Centre in Eastleigh. For the new arts complex, Nandos is planning a 3,000 sq ft family restaurant that will appeal to all sections of the local community.

Nandos has the largest collection of South African art in the UK, with 5,000 pieces on show in its restaurants. The Southampton unit will display one of these pieces.

Delicious Dining will open a brand new 5,000 sq ft restaurant called Tapas Barcelona with entrances on Guildhall Square and Guildhall Place, the thoroughfare joining the Guildhall Square to East Park.

In total there are seven restaurant/cafe units in the new arts complex and adjacent Guildhall Apartments, which comprise 38 apartments with views over the city. The new arts complex 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 and a dance studio.