Ed’s Easy Diner, the fast-growing American-style casual dining chain led by Andrew Guy, has confirmed that it will open its first unit in Liverpool on Liverpool ONE’s Lord Street next March, one of 12 sites it hopes to open in 2014.
The group, which earlier this year secured its first ever extended bank funding in the form of a £4.5m facility with RBS, has secured a 5,671sq ft unit at the scheme, that will cover the ground and first floors initially but is set to expand over a number of levels.
The group, which is backed by Rankvale Hospitality, currently operates 23 sites under its core brand in the UK and is scheduled to open in Crawley, Manchester and another in York over the next 12 months.
Ed’s is the fifth catering brand to sign at Liverpool ONE this year. It will join Byron, Browns, Hotel Chocolat Cocoa Bar Café and Home at the scheme.
Guy, chief executive of Ed’s Easy Diner, said: “We wanted a prime location with high footfall for our first diner in Liverpool and Lord Street was perfect. We are very excited about the opening as Liverpool ONE is one of the most popular destinations in the North West. The space will allow us to grow our offer over different levels and create a complete retro 1950s experience for all our customers.’
Miles Dunnett, head of asset management at the scheme’s Grosvenor Liverpool Fund, said: “Ed’s is a great addition to our dining offer at Liverpool ONE. We pride ourselves on creating a complete retail and leisure destination with a wide choice of high quality restaurants for our guests; allowing them to enjoy a different experience on every visit. Ed’s is the latest in a series of brands that have added significantly to Liverpool ONE’s regional appeal.”
