Openings

A square deal

Thai Square opened in Islington, London, last week. The restaurant has 360 seats on three floors. The building, previously a brasserie, cost £1.5m to refurbish. The decor features a 300-year-old 7ft Buddha and is the fifth Thai Square restaurant to open in the capital.

Face-lift for george

The George Inn in Cavendish, Suffolk, opens at the end of June following a 10-week, £200,000 refurbishment. The 600-year-old property, formerly named the George hotel, has been bought for £185,000 by Jonathan Nicholson, who was previously head chef at Conran Restaurants' Bluebird and Cantina del Ponte in London. He plans to serve modern European cuisine in a 60-seat restaurant. The inn will also include four bedrooms.

Premier in london

Scottish & Newcastle (S&N)opened a 56-bedroom Premier Lodge budget hotel in Southwark, south London, last week. S&N has invested £3.4m in the hotel, which will employ 60 staff. It is the first Premier Lodge to open in central London and follows an opening in Thurrock, Essex, last week.

Yo! sushi on a roll

Yo! Sushi opens its 12th branch, in Islington, London, at the end of June. The conveyer-belt sushi restaurant is based in the N1 Centre, a three-floor shopping centre opposite Angel Underground station. The 74-seat restaurant will offer up to 175 hot and cold Japanese dishes. Further Yo! Sushi branches are set to open this year in Fulham in London and at Selfridges in Manchester.