Openings of the week

Taco Bell, Spalding Lincolnshire, Torquay, and Hornchurch

Taco Bell opened its 100^th store in the UK in Spalding Lincolnshire yesterday (18 August) and two more in Torquay and Hornchurch, taking its total count to 102. The Mexican-inspired QSR brand has doubled its number of restaurants in the past 18 months since first opening in the UK in 2010.

Comptoir Libanais, Stansted Airport

Comptoir Group has opened a new Comptoir Libanais restaurant at Stansted Airport, its first UK airport opening with franchise partner HMSHost International. The 140-cover restaurant features Lebanese-inspired décor to create a Middle Eastern experience, as well as Middle Eastern dishes on both its breakfast and all day menus, such as shakshuka and hot and cold mezze.

It will also serve a range of cocktails and Lebanese wines and beers. The group plans to open another Comptoir Libanais restaurant in Qatar this year.

Shoryu Ramen, Kensington

Japanese concept Shoryu Ramen will open its 11^th restaurant on Kensington High Street in September. The new venue will have capacity for 70 and feature counter bars, mini dining pods, and an open kitchen.

The offer will include the brand’s specialty, Hakata tonkotsu ramen, as well as sake, Japanese beer, Hirata buns, and vegan options. It will also offer Japanese street food favourites such as gyoza and karage chicken.

Market Place, Vauxhall

Food hall concept Market Place will open its third site next to London’s Vauxhall station on 23 September, with twelve restaurant spaces, a standalone bar, a DJ booth, and seating for 200. It aims to support start-up vendors and independent operators and will focus on providing affordable stalls for small and local businesses.

The food offer will include wood-fired pizza from Made in Puglia; tacos by Hermanos Tacos; Sri Lankan cuisine from Karapincha Kitchen; and Jamaican jerk chicken by Rudie’s Jerk Shack.

Ma Petite Jamaica, Shoreditch

Caribbean diner Ma Petite Jamaica will open a second location in Shoreditch, East London on 25^th August, following its first site in Camden. The new venue will offer a range of Caribbean food, rum cocktails, and bottomless brunch, featuring dishes such as jerk wings, spicy buttermilk chicken tenders, and curried goat as well as rotis and wraps.

Epsom Social, Surrey

Billed as Surrey’s first food hall, Epsom Social will feature eight vendors at a 200-cover venue launching at the end of the month. The offer will include Indian cuisine from Curry on Naanstop, Venezuelan street food concept Pabellón, and local pizza brand Doughboyz as well as regularly rotating pop-ups.

There will also be a 12-metre bar, plus a performance area featuring live music, comedy nights, and other events.

Wimpy, Bracknell

Burger chain Wimpy will open a 3,779 sq ft unit at The Lexicon in Bracknell.