Casual Dining Group to enter pub market with two new Heathrow operations

CDG’s other brands include Bella Italia, Café Rouge, La Tasca, and Las Iguanas.

Both pubs will run under new brand Ale & Coffee House, a concept developed with design support from Joanna Clevely, and concept development from husband Rupert Clevely, co-founder of pub group Geronimo Inns.

The group will operate the sites day-to-day, with an all-day food offer, plus drinks and coffee.

Currently trading as the Three Bells (Terminal 3) and the Five Tuns (Terminal 5), they will be re-named The Darwin (pictured above), and The George (pictured below) respectively, and receive total refurbishment later this year.

(Photo: The George / CDG)​

CDG – which operates over 300 sites across the country ‒ already operates five restaurants at Heathrow, plus a Rapide grab-and-go at Inverness Airport, Scotland.

It is also set to open a Bella Italia, and an Oriel Grande Brasserie at London Luton Airport this year, and recently took on a contract to serve all food and beverage at Jersey Airport.

The group hopes to build on its growing airport operations to improve its transport hub presence further, including at other airports, and in train stations.

“We’re delighted to have secured these sites and our new partnership gives us huge credibility as we enter the pub sector,” says Mark Nelson, CDG’s managing director of concessions and franchising.

“It demonstrates our continued passion to be at the forefront of the hospitality sector, not just as an operator of casual dining restaurants but food-led pubs too.”