City centre restaurant to open after £1.2m investment

A BRAZILIAN restaurant chain is to open in Birmingham next week after spending £1.2m refurbishing its site.

Viva Brazil, a rodizio restaurant and bar, will open its doors on Bennetts Hill on May 20. It is on the corner site which was occupied until recently by Indian restaurant Isaacs and, before that, Thai Orchid.

It is the fifth restaurant for the group, which first opened in Liverpool in 2010 before expanding into Glasgow, Cardiff and Newcastle.

The Grade II-listed building will seat 200 people across two floors and its owners expect it to become the chain’s flagship restaurant.

Andy Aldrich, Viva Brazil’s managing director, said: “Viva Birmingham has incredible untapped potential to become our leading restaurant across the country.

“With the opening just two weeks away, we cannot wait to hit the ground running.”

Santander Corporate & Commercial supported the new restaurant with a £900,000 Growth Capital funding deal.

Mr Aldrich added: “The Viva Brazil brand continues to move from strength to strength. This will be our flagship restaurant in the heart of a fantastic city.

Phillip Roscoe, Relationship Director, Santander Corporate & Commercial, added: “Viva Brazil’s rapid growth is a testament to the success and popularity of its unique style. Santander is thrilled to be backing the management team on their latest endeavour as they build on their portfolio in Birmingham.”