Restaurant chains sign up to Bullring development

A FAMILY-run restaurant chain founded in Birmingham and a brasserie company’s first Midlands outlet are coming to the Bullring shopping centre.

The Handmade Burger Co., whose first restaurant was opened by Birmingham native Chris Sargeant and his two brothers in Brindleyplace, and Browns Bar and Brasserie are taking units at the new Spiceal Street development.

The 20,000 sq ft scheme, due to open this winter, is aiming to create a new restaurant quarter next to St Martin’s Square containing seven eateries alongside new landscaping.

The duo will join existing tenants Pizza Hut, Wagamama, Nando’s and Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant which opened in November.

Handmade Burger Co. currently has nine other outlets, including in Solihull and Leicester, and has taken a 3,906 sq ft unit.

Browns operates 21 units, including seven in London, but this will be the company’s first in the Midlands. It has taken 4,068 sq ft.

A Bullring spokeswoman said negotiations were still ongoing for the third unit, with an announcement due in the summer, and it was not yet clear how many jobs would be created at the two new restaurants.

Bullring general manager Tim Walley said: “We’re thrilled to welcome both Browns and Handmade Burger to Spiceal Street for what promises to be a very exciting and unique catering area.

“When we began this development in autumn 2010, we asked our visitors what restaurants they’d like to see and were overwhelmed with the response.

“The need for independent restaurants was recognised and we also received requests for a bar and grill that perhaps wasn’t already in the city. We’re confident that Browns and Handmade Burger have fulfilled these requests.”