Masterchef’s John Torode to expand The Luxe restaurant concept

The facility, obtained through Barclays Corporate, is primarily debt and will be used as an ongoing investment in Torode’s Smiths of Smithfields and existing Luxe restaurant.

However the investment will also work to support a roll out of The Luxe concept, which opened on the Old Flower Market Building in 2009.

Similarly to Smiths of Smithfields, The Luxe consists of four separate concepts: a late night bar in the basement; an informal café/ bar with takeaway facilities on the ground floor; a dining room serving a traditional British menu on the first floor; and a private mezzanine dining room on the second floor.

Smiths of Smithfields however also features a more formal rooftop restaurant.

Torode said: “We are pleased to have found a new financial partner in Barclays especially in these difficult times, so much in my business relies on relationships and people and in Barclays we appear to have comfort on both fronts, we are looking forward to a profitable working relationship and to the better times which surely are ahead of us and the people who come to enjoy our venues.”