Nine new food franchises, Thaikhun, Barburrito, Coast to Coast, TGI Fridays, Chiquito, Five Guys, Ask, Bella Italia, and Subway have all been confirmed for Tyne & Wear’s intu Metrocentre dining quarter extension.
Two other restaurants are on the cusp of being announced, bringing the total of new additions up to 11 for the 45,000 sq ft extension, bring the total up to 24 restaurants, cafés and bars. The extension is due to open in Spring next year and expected to be pre-let within six months before launch.
It will be Thaikhun’s first restaurant in the North East and will offer authentic and tasty Thai street food. Owner and chef director, Kim Kaewraikhot, says he looks forward to being a part of the Qube dining facility so he can “Bring the true cooking of my country to customers throughout the UK.”
It’s also Barburrito’s first restaurant in the North East. Jim Bishop, head of property at Barburrito, said: “It’s great to be opening at intu Metrocentre and continue our expansion throughout the UK. Intu Metrocentre is one of the top shopping centres in the country with great footfall figures.”
Kate Grant, regional director of intu, said: “intu Metrocentre is ranked as one of the top five shopping centres in the UK. We’ve achieved this position by focusing on the needs of our customers and bringing them compelling experiences.”
She continues: “By creating a leisure offer, throughout the day and evening, intu Metrocentre will continue to attract new and repeat visitors.”
Intu Metrocentre is Europe’s largest covered shopping and leisure destination. £16 million is being spent on the extension of the Qube dining and leisure quarter, forming part of intu’s £1.5bn investment pipeline over the next 10 years in the UK.
