Gusto to launch £1m site in Birmingham amid wider expansion

The group ‒ which has been backed by Palatine Private Equity since its £10m management buyout in 2014 ‒ has invested over £1m in the 130-cover, 4,000 sq ft restaurant, which will open on 23 September.  

The opening will form part of the company’s aim to open 26 sites – up from the current 14 ‒ in the next five years.

Located on the ground floor of the Grand Hotel development in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, the 1897, Grade II-listed building will also feature a 40-seat outside terrace following its complete refurbishment.

The décor will aim to bring what Gusto calls a “real sparkly vibe”, alongside a European-influenced menu and a drinks list including over 50 cocktails and worldwide wine list.

Based in Knutsford, Gusto opened its first site in Alderley Edge in 2005, and was created in its current form in 2007 after Living Ventures rebranded its Est Est Est chain.

It now runs to 14 sites across Scotland and the north of England, including most recent openings in Leamington Spa and Lytham.   

Sue Crimes, managing director, said: “We’ve had our sights set on Birmingham for some time. There is currently a burgeoning restaurant scene in the district and we believe our restaurant ethos meets directly with the demographics of area.

“This is a very exciting time for Gusto, and together with Palatine and Living Ventures we have substantial funding and capability to successfully expand and achieve our target portfolio.”