World famous restaurant chain The Ivy is hoping to open in Newcastle after targeting one of the city’s best known sites.
The London eaterie, famed for attracting screen and stage stars, is believed to have had Newcastle in its sights for several years – and is keen to move into the Grade II listed 104-108 Grey Street currently occupied by upmarket burger chain Byron.
The plans to bring one of the biggest names in fine dining to the city rest on gaining planning permission for three separate applications submitted to Newcastle City Council, which, if approved, would pave the way for the existing restaurant to be transformed into The Ivy Newcastle Brasserie.
It is understood that Byron does not want to leave Newcastle, however, and would look for a new base in the city if The Ivy took over the Grey Street site.
Byron opened in the former Mawsons department store building in 2015, and the site survived a 2018 closure programme by the Byron chain that saw its Metrocentre site shut.
Planning applications have been made by Troia (UK) Restaurants Limited, which owns and operates a number of restaurants, including the world-famous Ivy in Covent Garden.
It says that a three-floor Ivy restaurant – with seating in the basement, ground and first floors – would create 130 full time jobs and potentially open from 8am to 2am.
The Ivy Collection has 30 cafes and brasseries around the UK and Ireland and is understood to be looking to open more sites around the UK. Currently, its nearest to the North East are in York and Harrogate.
The company - which describes its brasseries as offering “extensive all-day menus featuring the best of modern British dishes in a relaxed dining atmosphere” - is opening soon in Windsor and is understood to be looking at a site in Liverpool.
The planning application lodged by planning consultants Pegasus Group says: “The application site comprises the basement, ground and first floors of the building, which are currently occupied by Byron. The property is Grade II Listed, and is located within the Central Conservation Area which encompasses much of the historic town centre.”
A lengthy covering letter lists potential alterations to the existing restaurant, including the removal of partitions and installation of new ones, removal of the existing bar and theatre kitchen to be replaced by a new bar and fixed banquette seating on the ground floor, plus the installation of a new bar, DJ booth and seating on the first floor.
The letter adds: “It is also worth considering the wider public benefits of the proposed development.
“This includes bringing back into active use the basement of the building; investing in refurbishing the building to a high-quality specification; provision of 130 new jobs opportunities in a wide variety of roles; further job opportunities through the restaurant’s supply chain and ensuring the wider vitality and viability of the city centre is maintained and that this area of Grey Street remains vibrant and attractive throughout the day.
“The proposed development will facilitate the occupation of the unit by our client and will contribute positively to the streetscene and ensure an active frontage is retained to this part of Grey Street.”
The Grey Street site, which was made a listed building in 1987, dates from 1904 when the site was redeveloped for booksellers and stationers Mawson, Swan and Morgan. It was later occupied by Waterstones and Swedish fashion group H&M.
Stephen Patterson, director at Newcastle city centre improvement company NE1 Ltd said: “The Ivy is an internationally renowned brand and their interest in Newcastle is hugely encouraging. It is recognition of the city’s high profile within the leisure sector nationally and the proposed location benefits from stunning architecture and fantastic transport links."
