Luminar lights the way for Chicago Rock Café

Luminar Leisure, the Luton-based restaurant, pub and nightclub operator, will today open its 12th Chicago Rock Café in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

The concept, which was launched four years ago in King's Lynn, Norfolk, includes a US-themed restaurant and bar with a dance floor. The latest site is a £670,000 conversion of a former YMCA charity shop.

Luminar operates 28 outlets in the south of England, including the Jug ‘n' Jive pub chain and The Avenue and Zoots discotheques. Managing director Steve Thomas said he planned to open four more Chicago Rock Cafés next year, plus three Jug ‘n' Jive pubs and three discotheques.

Luminar, which was founded in 1988, reported turnover of £13.8m last year and Mr Thomas expects that figure to rise to £20m in the current year. He said the company's strategy envisaged continuing expansion.