Aqua Italia, the premium Italian restaurant chain, is to use its latest opening in Milton Keynes as a test bed for further expansion into other areas around the country.
The chain, which includes Las Iguanas co-founder Ajith Jaya-Wickrema as an investing director, opened its first site outside its South West heartland in the town’s The Hub at the end of last month and hopes the evolution of the brand at the site willallow it to look at further opportunities elsewhere.
The four-strong chain said the new site set a new level in terms of scale and complexity compared to its first three units in Bristol and Bath, and “sets up its stall amongst other more established brands”.
The new Aqua is located off Avebury Boulevard in The Hub and includes the only mezzanine dining area in the complex.
The company was launched in 2010 by husband and wife team Richard Smithson and Emelia Schiavetta.
Ben Smithson, operations manager for Aqua, said: “We are really excited to finally open Aqua in Milton Keynes after the success of our existing restaurants in the South West. Milton Keynes has very discerning diners and we look forward presenting our traditional Italian dishes from the many regions of the country.”
