By Denis Sheehan, Publisher, H&C News: Woking welcomes new restaurant, cafe, and bar openings to town.
Victoria Place in Woking, co-owned by Woking Borough Council and Moyallen Group, has announced the signing of three new F&B operators. The trio comprises itsu, the Asian healthy fast food restaurant, GAIL’s, the artisanal bakery and café, and independent Surrey-based cocktail bar, Komo.
itsu will be situated on 1 Mercia Walk and serve customers the brand’s renowned healthy Asian rice and noodle bowls, soups, sushi, salads and snacks, all made fresh every day in their on-site kitchen. itsu is due to open in April, but will be welcoming residents and businesses in Woking by providing complimentary sushi close to its opening day.
Set to open at 1 Commercial Way later this spring, GAIL’s Woking will provide customers with high-quality freshly baked breads, pastries, and cakes throughout the day, as well as hand-roasted speciality grade house blend coffee. GAIL’s Woking will also provide a new lunch destination, offering an array of sandwiches and quiches that can be enjoyed at both indoor and outdoor seating. In addition, the Woking GAIL’s will participate in the brand’s Waste Not initiative, whereby surplus food will be donated to local organisations and charities at the end of each day.
Completing the trio of new F&B signings is high-end cocktail bar, Komo, located at 21-25 Commercial Way and set to open in early April. The bar will include 250 covers and entertain guests with a DJ and an extensive cocktail and gin menu. Komo will run cocktail masterclass lessons for customers keen to learn how to make the perfect cocktail, while food will be served from midday six days a week and brunch on Sundays. Komo will be available for private party bookings and corporate events.
Vishal Talreja, Property Director of itsu, commented: “Woking provides us with the perfect spot for a new location. We are incredibly excited to bring our healthy Asian-inspired dishes to the people of Woking and with the significant investment going into the town centre and the opening of Victoria Place fast approaching, we are confident that our new itsu will attract strong customer numbers. We will be recruiting within the local community soon and we can’t wait to provide a healthy fast-food option to Woking high street. The expansion is part of our mission to make itsu accessible for everyone, everywhere.”
Councillor Ayesha Azad, Leader of Woking Borough Council, added: “As we approach the official opening of Victoria Place, the £700m regeneration of the town centre, Woking is fast becoming a destination of choice for well-established F&B brands. We’re very proud itsu, GAIL’s and Komo have chosen to open in Woking, as all three brands enhance our existing F&B offer. They add more variety for local residents and visitors alike, helping us continue delivering a unique experience for visitors.”
The news follows the recent opening of Italian restaurant, Luciano’s, and independent sister brands, The Tea Terrace Restaurant & Tea Room, and Ol’ West Grill & Diner.
JLL and Nash Bond acted for Victoria Place. PF Retail represented itsu while GAIL’s and Komo dealt direct.
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