March 24, 2010
American restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday has chosen St David’s Shopping Centre in Cardiff as the setting for its first restaurant in Western Europe.
The top end, casual dining chain, with 900 restaurants across the globe is expanding in Europe and will open a 7,000 sq ft restaurant at Eastside, St David’s fully let, late night dining quarter. Three other restaurants are being introduced to St David’s; Italian restaurant Prezzo, has taken 3,492 sq ft; Boof, a new cafe-brasserie concept from a local restaurateur has opened in 1,116 sq ft and another local concept Sale Pepe has taken 1,318 sq ft. Other restaurants at St David’s include Jamies Italian, Yo Sushi, Wagamamas and the recently announced Carluccio’s. Of the 18 catering units that have opened to date, nine are new to Cardiff. There are another five deals due to exchange in the next few weeks, three of which are new to Cardiff.
Joanne Skilton, of Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), on behalf of St David’s Partnership, the joint venture between CSC and Land Securities, said: “Ruby Tuesday choosing St David’s for its first restaurant in Western Europe signifies the shopping centre’s strength as a destination and its appeal to visitors to Cardiff. The exciting mix of new and traditional, international and local restaurants will ensure St David’s remains unique in its catchment.”
Gary and Stephen Mayo are the two entrepreneurs who have bought the franchise that will bring Ruby Tuesday to the UK. Gary Mayo said: “Ruby Tuesday is a strong restaurant concept that has successfully exported its brand and differentiates itself from other American chains in the marketplace. St David’s provides us with a great location for the UK launch of the restaurant as the new centre is attracting visitors from all over the UK. With Cardiff likely to become one of the top five shopping destinations in the United Kingdom, we will benefit from the footfall likely to be achieved on the back of it.”
The letting agents for St David’s are E J Hales, Lunson Mitchenall and Cushman & Wakefield. E J Hales represented the Ruby Tuesday franchisee.
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