Smollensky's to get £15m for expansion

Mezzanine, the AIM-listed restaurant, bar and nightclub operator, is to spend £15m on expanding its Smollensky's US-themed restaurant chain. It plans to have 20 Smollensky's in London in the next two years.

Last November, the company bought the 250-seat Smollensky's in the Strand from Wolverhampton and Dudley breweries for £2.95m. Its second 230-seat Smollensky's, in Finchley Road, opened last month. It was a Capital Radio Café, which the group bought from Capital Radio in February for £275,000. Its third Smollensky's, in Hammersmith, opens in February next year. The site, formerly a Deals restaurant, will have 150 seats.

In June Mezzanine bought the two remaining branches of London restaurant chain Deals, for £925,000. The second former Deals, in Soho, will become the group's flagship bar when it opens next month. It will have a 90-seat restaurant and a private members' bar for 500 people.