Metro Bar acquired in undisclosed deal

ONE of Birmingham’s most iconic and successful bar restaurants has changed hands.  

Metro Bar and Grill in Cornwall Street, recognised as the place where “deals get done” by the property, banking and professional community, has been acquired by Brandasia Group for an undisclosed sum.

Brandasia also operate Asha’s, the celebrated award-winning Indian restaurant in the city centre. Asha’s is due to open in Manchester later this year and has outlets in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

Brandasia will retain the Metro Bar concept and intend to grow on the business further with the introduction of a new menu and specialist cocktail bar.  

Brandasia director Pawan Kenth said: “The opportunity to acquire one of Birmingham’s more celebrated eateries which has a legendary status in the local community, was simply too good to miss.  

“It ties in with our strategy to build a significant quality food and drink business in the city centre and complements our Asha’s restaurant in Newhall Street. We hope to add to the existing outlets with future acquisitions in the near future.”

Jaimon George, director of Brandasia, said: “There are no radical plans to change Metro, a celebrated haunt of dealmakers, who are all back in Metro doing deals, in a thriving Birmingham city centre economy.  

“Metro Bar is located in the heart of the professional quarter and has gone from strength to strength since opening back in 1997.”

Metro employs 15 staff, who will all be retained.

Law firms Higgs & Sons acted for Brandasia and Metro was advised by Tyndallwoods.