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Chipotle Mexican Grill enters London
TRG planning 20 new
US chain to begin European expansion by opening site in London's West End
openings next year
The Restaurant Group (TRG) has By Martin Nash
continued to trade in line with
expectations, with like-for-like The Denver, US-based burrito
sales currently 3 per cent down restaurant chain Chipotle
on the same period last year and Mexican Grill is to open its first
total turnover up 4 per cent. location in the UK.
Announcing its trading update Design and building plans
for the 46 weeks to 15 November, are currently being finalised for
TRG reported that it had opened a site at 114-116 Charing Cross
17 new restaurants so far this Road in London's West End,
year, with another 15 to 20 new which is scheduled to open in
openings expected next year. April next year. It will also be
Looking ahead to 2010, TRG the company's first in Europe.
expects trading conditions to Steve Ells – founder, chair The chain will serve a range of Mexican foods, including burritos
remain tough for the sector, with and co-ceo of Chipotle – said:
tax rises, fuel price increases and "London has become an are changing the way people food made with ingredients
the threat of higher unemploy- important food city over the think about fast food. from sustainable sources.
ment all potentially impacting on years, especially because of the "We believe Londoners will Ells added that, beyond the
consumer spending. However, it awareness of and desire for appreciate our efforts to serve group's interest in the UK,
believes its strong brands and things like locally sourced, food that is raised right and in it has looked at sites in both
value-for-money offer will allow seasonal and artisanal ingredi- a way that is so accessible." Paris and Munich but
it to continue trading profitably. ents. These are all core values In the US, Chipotle claims to has neither identified specific
of Chipotle. We call it 'Food be one of the only restaurant sites nor released time lines
'Testing year' hits
with Integrity' and it is how we chains committed to serving for such expansion.
Enterprise Inns profits
UK pub company Enterprise
Tough times for
Inns has said that a "very testing
Galvin La Chapelle set for launch
year" is to be blamed for a 21 per
Irish restaurants
cent decline in pre-tax profits for The Restaurants Associa-
the 12 months ending 30 tion of Ireland (RAI) has
September 2009. Compared with revealed that more than
the previous year, the operator of 80 per cent of eateries
7,399 tenanted and leased pubs across the country are
across the country saw a 13 per currently running at a loss,
cent decrease in EBITDA to threatening the long-term
£445m as a result of increasing viability of the sector.
overhead costs and alcohol duty. A new 10-point 'survival
plan' has been unveiled by
New owner for
the organisation, which The restaurant will be owned by brothers Jeff and Chris Galvin
Shendish Manor Hotel
aims to protect an industry
Shendish Manor Hotel near that contributes around By Pete Hayman boasting 30m (98.4ft)-high
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, €2bn (£1.8bn) to the Irish ceilings. Meanwhile, Café de
has been acquired by the owners economy each year and London-based restaurateurs, Luxe will act as an all-day café
of the Manor of Groves Hotel, accounts for a quarter of the Galvin Brothers, launched and bar, with a 6m (19.7ft)-
Golf and Country Club in High all Irish tourism jobs. their latest venture – Galvin La long pewter bar originally
Wych, near Sawbridgeworth. The RAI's plans include Chapelle and Café de Luxe – at commissioned by Sir Terence
original manor house at Shendish calling for a reduction in the capital's Spital Square on Conran for the Aurora restau-
Manor has been refurbished to the Irish national minimum 18 November. rant at the Great Eastern Hotel,
provide 18 suites and rooms, wage, reduced local The new venture includes the as well as outdoor seating
including the bridal suite, while authority charges and the Galvin La Chapelle restaurant, opening onto Bishop's Square.
a new wing built in 2007 offers a development of a which is housed within the Jeff Galvin said: "We wanted
further 52 bedrooms. Shendish dedicated restaurant converted 19th century, Grade to create a place which
Manor Hotel also boasts a par 70, division at Failté Ireland. II-listed St Botolph's Hall dating everyone in the area can call
18-hole golf course. back to the 19th century and their own and feel at home."
12 Read Leisure Opportunities online www.leisureopportunities.com/digital © Cybertrek 2009
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