Leeds grillhouse gets £1m investment for growth
LEEDS grill restaurant Blackhouse is set to expand following a £1m revamp.
Evans Property Group successfully submitted planning applications to Leeds City Council to allow the restaurant to develop a terrace area fronting Bond Court and Russell street with external seating all year round.
GMI Construction, which is working on logistics development Kinetic 45 and the Premier Inn hotel site at Whitehall Riverside, has been appointed on the works.
The Living Ventures establishment has also committed to a 25-year lease extension at its Bond Court site.
The restaurant has been a Leeds staple since 2008, and construction on the new-look area is due to be completed by October 2016.
Living Ventures will also be undertaking some internal refurbishment works and will be launching a new menu to coincide with the opening of the terrace.
The development of Blackhouse is part of ongoing works at Bond Court. Evans is investing £25m in the area, which commenced with the refurbishment of the Minerva and Capitol office buildings and is continuing with the five-star Dakota Deluxe hotel on Greek Street getting underway.
Alan Syers, portfolio director at Evans Property Group, said; “By opening up new walkways, undertaking extensive public realm works and introducing outside seating areas, we are confident that Bond Court will become a vibrant, cosmopolitan destination. We want to ensure that the whole project has a unified feel and we have paid close attention to the materials we are using to ensure that they sit well with each aspect of the overall development.
“Blackhouse Grill is a popular venue within the city and is well-placed to capitalise on the benefits of the investment into Bond Court. We are pleased to unveil our plans for this important element of our scheme.”
Jeremy Roberts, chief executive of Living Ventures, said; “The extended lease and works at Blackhouse confirm our commitment to Leeds, a city we are firm champions of. The new terrace will enhance our offering and provide a link to Greek Street via Bond Court.
“Living Ventures has traded in and around Greek Street for many years with venues such as The Living Room, Prohibition and latterly The Alchemist and Gusto and the whole area is going from strength to strength. We are looking forward to launching our new space and menu later this year.”
