Conrad Gallagher eyes London opening

Ireland's Michelin-starred chef Conrad Gallagher has found a site for a Peacock Alley restaurant in London.

Gallagher, who launched his one-starred, 110-seat Peacock Alley in Dublin in 1995, wants to open a 150-seat restaurant of the same name in the capital.

He said: "I have been in London almost every week and I am there again this week. I have found a place and I am in negotiations with somebody at the moment."

He plans to run the restaurant alongside the one in Dublin and will not, as speculation suggested, sell his original Peacock Alley.

"I am not relocating or closing down. I want to open another Peacock Alley in London and I hope to be ready to sign a deal in the next couple of weeks," he said.

In the past 18 months Gallagher has sold three of his Dublin brasseries: Christopher's, Lloyds and Ocean. He will use the money to open the London restaurant.

Gallagher is currently involved in a High Court wrangle over alleged non-payment of rent.

The proceedings were launched by Gerard McGurn, landlord of the building in Upper Merrion Street, Dublin, that used to house his Lloyds brasserie.

Gallagher said: "It is due to be settled out of court soon."

by Louise Bozec louise.bozec@rbi.co.uk