Lifestyle: Food & Drink – La Tasca and Costa Coffee

FOOD and beverage outlets, La Tasca and Costa Coffee, have been announced as the latest traders to occupy new retail units within the recently-refurbished Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.

Five new retail units were added along the canal side of the arena as part of the £26m redevelopment to increase the catering provision for visitors as well as provide a link between the venue and city centre for passers-by.

For Spanish restaurant chain, La Tasca, the unit will be the firm’s only restaurant in Birmingham. The tapas restaurant is the second restaurant to open at the arena alongside Ed’s Easy Diner, which launched in December.

Costa Coffee has taken an outlet covering more than 1,700 sq ft.

Simon Wilkinson, CEO of the LTR Grupo de Restaurantes, said: “Under new management and ownership, La Tasca has completely revolutionised since we closed the old site in the city back in 2012.

“Our food is now made with over 85% of the menu delivered fresh daily and sourced from local Spanish producers. We also specialise in 14 different sangria cocktails. We are delighted to be bringing our new brand to the redeveloped Barclaycard Arena and the city of Birmingham.”

George Abuaita, spokesman for the Costa Coffee franchise, said the new outlet would be ready for customers at the end of March.

Phil Mead, managing director of Arenas at the NEC Group, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to add well known and established brands, La Tasca and Costa Coffee, as tenants to the Barclaycard Arena.

“Their decision to locate their new businesses here reflects the transformation of the Arena and the ambition we have to regenerate the canal side as a vibrant destination for eating, drinking and dining out.”

GVA acted on behalf of the landlord for the Costa Coffee letting and Davis Coffer Lyons was the landlord’s agent acting in respect of La Tasca.