The Alchemist to open 10th site
Premium bar and casual dining operator the Alchemist is to open its 10th site, after securing a new venue in Chester city centre.
The Alchemist has taken a 21-year lease on a 4,700 sq ft site once occupied by Gin Rickey's and Luke's Eating House, and will start a £1.1m refurbishment programme in April 2017 before it opens in July.
Simon Potts, managing director of the Alchemist, said: "We're incredibly proud to be opening our 10th site, just six years after the brand's inception. When we launched in Spinningfields back in 2010, we looked to push the boundaries of the Manchester drinking and casual dining experience through theatrical cocktails, engaging service and interesting spaces. We're now establishing ourselves as one of the most talked about bar and restaurant brands in the UK, and we are delighted to open in Chester and intend to bring something different to its food and drink scene.
"Opening our 10th site in a city rich in heritage with a bustling nightlife demonstrates the dedication and commitment of the Alchemist team. 2017 is set to be our most exciting year yet, as consumer demand increases for richer, immersive and shareable bar and restaurant experiences."
Established in 2010, the premium bar and casual dining operator currently has nine sites across UK city centres including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.
Most recently it opened in Newcastle, and earlier this year it was named in The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work for 2017.
The Alchemist is backed by Palatine Private Equity, which supported a buyout from Living Ventures in 2015.
Top 50 northern restaurant and bar businesses revealed >>
12 hospitality firms named in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to work for 2017 >>
Hospitality pays tribute to Manchester leading light Tim Bacon >>
Videos from The Caterer archives