Restaurants are pulling in the shopping crowds

Jamie Oliver managed to garner carrier bag fulls of press coverage last week with the opening of his new Barbecoa concept in One New Change shopping centre across the road from St Paul's Cathedral in London.

It will probably be a similar story when Gordon Ramsay opens his venture in the same building early next year. And aside from big name chefs, the shopping mall in the city of London will feature a roll call of well-known casual-dining operators including Byron, Nando's and Wasabi.

Shopping and dining, it seems, go hand-in-hand like never before. Developers no longer appear to be interested in the dodgy food hall of old. They want sound concepts with a good reputation that catch the eye of shoppers who are attracted as much to the quality of starters on offer as the shirts.

Though the development and construction of these temples to consumerism have hit a relative low due to the tough economic times we face, there are increasing opportunities for restaurateurs to get involved thanks to the recognition that attractive food and beverage operations will draw in the crowds.

Aside from the handful of big new schemes in the pipeline, there are plenty of other shopping centres that are being extended or remodelled by their developer owners, often with a much increased mix of restaurants, and in some cases their own restaurant quarter altogether.

We've mapped out some of the projects ongoing throughout the UK, highlighting what's coming up and when (page 14).

The developers we spoke to were all too aware of the pulling power of the right mix of retail and restaurants. And with guaranteed footfall, the opportunities look like they should suit mid-market operators, too.

Neil Gerrard, Pubs, bars and casual dining editor, Caterer and Hotelkeeper