Intu to open Circle 360 Champagne & Cocktails bar at Lakeside
The 120-cover bar will be the operator's largest yet and will serve as the flagship site for the brand, which launched at the Trafford Centre in 2011.
Circle 360 Champagne & Cocktails has taken a 10 year lease on the 1,862 sqft unit within the centre of the shopping centre which will be developed before opening in October.
Having launched the concept at the Metrocentre and Braehead last year after opening at Manchester's Trafford Centre, it was thought the female and family-friendly concept would work well at the 'aspirational and brand conscious catchment' of Lakeside, said Intu asset management director Jonathan Ainsley.
“360 bars are trading extremely well in other intu centres reflecting the desire of our shoppers to try new and aspirational offers. We specifically sought a Champagne bar for this location as it will really add to the ambience at the heart of the centre and is visible from three levels," he said.
"Research across our portfolio has shown that both spend and dwell times increase by two thirds for those customers visiting a catering outlet, so it is also good news for our retailers.”
Ambitious
Craig Ince, managing director of 360 Champagne & Cocktails, said the site at Intu Lakeside would be the company's 'most ambitious yet' and was part of major expansion plans for the brand. It plans another four sites in the next year.
"We are delighted that intu is creating a whole new area of the centre for us," he said. "We deliver exciting birthday and engagement parties and have a particularly strong following from female shoppers looking for a treat whilst shopping. Our bars are about luxury and fun - cocktail staff juggle bottles, shakers and ice and our bar magicians are there to entertain and engage with the customer, including young families and children."
News of the new bar comes as Intu, operator of 16 shopping centres around the UK, secures outline planning consent for £180m expansion of the centre, which includes the creation of new leisure space.
