Forest reveal plans for city centre fine dining restaurant

Nottingham Forest have submitted a licensing application for the former Hart’s Restaurant in the city centre.

Nisha Katona speaking at TheBusinessDesk.com’s lunch event in November 2018

The venue, on Standard Hill in the city, has been closed since 2019 after owner Tim Hart revealed plans to downsize his hospitality operation, which also includes the adjacent Hart’s Hotel.

A statement accompanying the application reads: “Nottingham Forest Football Club are in the process of acquiring the former Hart’s restaurant with the intention of re-opening the restaurant. The primary purpose of the restaurant will be to offer a high-quality dining experience along the lines of what was on offer when the restaurant traded previously.”

Forest’s plans include a venue on the ground floor which will include a private dining room. The former first floor areas will be converted into office space.

Hart’s originally had spaces for 80 covers downstairs, as well as event space on the first floor, where TheBusinessDesk.com held several events, including a lunch with Nisha Katona, the founder of restaurant chain Mowgli.

In December, Forest unveiled plans for 20 hospitality pods which would be added to the open corners at the Trent End of their City Ground.

The pods, which would essentially be shipping containers stacked on top of each other, would house 180 people over five storeys.

The plans have been submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council.