TGI Fridays to Open at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre

TGI Fridays to Open at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre

American-themed bar and restaurant TGI Fridays has become the latest operator join the line-up at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre. The new restaurant will open in August.

TGI Fridays has agreed a 15-year lease for two adjacent units (R7 and R11) comprising a total of 486 sq m (5,231 sq ft). The new restaurant, which will have up 170 covers, will enjoy prominent frontage onto a new £1.5 million piazza set to further transform the docks area adjacent to the centre.

With its opening at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre TGI Fridays, which first opened in New York in 1965, now has 63 restaurants in the UK. Some 80 full and part-time staff are being employed by the operator at GQOC. TGI Fridays is opening seven new restaurants in the UK this year.

Footfall at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre has been on a significant upwards trajectory – with a 50% increase in footfall – since the opening of the centre’s new £60 million leisure and lifestyle extension last December and numbers are expected hit four million by the end of 2014.

Comments David Carroll, Property Director of TGI Fridays:

“We’re delighted to be brining our world-famous American dining concept to Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre. The restaurant will feature our latest styling with an open kitchen and a menu that also includes tapas and a wider range of drinks that are widening our appeal for both families and for others who want dynamic dining experiences. We recognize he strategic importance of Gloucester Quays as a powerhouse destination for both outlet shopping and lifestyle experiences and it was identified as a market-dominant location that would enable us to deliver on our plans announced earlier this year to double our UK operations to around 120 restaurants by the 2020 – creating 700 jobs in the process.”

The extension takes the overall 110-unit centre to just under 33,630 m2 (362,000 sq ft) in size. Aside from the 1,600-seat, 10-screen Cineworld other operators including Ed’s Easy Diner, Zizzi Ristorante, Chimichanga and Loungers have joined Nandos and Pizza Express (who have had presence in Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre since it opened in 2009). There is also a 486 sq m (16,000 sq ft) health & fitness centre operated by The Gym.

Fashion brand retailers All Saints, Crew Clothing and The North Face have added to the tenant line-up at the centre which comprises a complementary mix of 62 leading high street and designer brands offering up to 70% off recommended retail prices. The line-up includes: LK Bennett, Calvin Klein, Musto, Jacques Vert, ASICS, White Stuff, Paul Costelloe, M&S Outlet, Nike Outlet & Ghost, among others. The centre also incorporates a 96-room national chain hotel. There is parking for up to 1,500 cars.

Comments Adrian Wright, Leasing Director of Peel Outlets:

“TGI Fridays has become the latest global brand operator to establish a presence at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre after recognizing the centre’s growing regional reach and customer footfall.   Footfall at the centre is up by more than 50% since the start of the year and this latest signing adds to the centre’s shopper and lifestyle experience magnetism. The continued evolution of the centre is also attracting other leading brand shopping and lifestyle brands who now want to have a presence.”

Gloucester Quays letting agents are Chameleon Retail (0207 629 2200) and Cushman & Wakefield (020 7152 5000). TGI Fridays was represented by CBRE (020 7 182 2000).

Comments Thomas Rose of Cushman & Wakefield:

“The opening of TGI Fridays underscores the powerful draw that Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre is providing for Gloucestershire and even beyond the region.”

For further information please contact:

Sean Kelly
PR4P
07770 882905

TGI Fridays to Open at Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre

About TGI Fridays

Spearheading a dining revolution, TGI Fridays offers authentic American food, signature cocktails, and a lively, personalised experience.   With a continually evolving, contemporary menu, it’s the perfect place for casual cocktails, a quick tasty bite, or a longer dinner with friends.

With a rich food and drink heritage, Fridays brought both happy hour and flair bartending to the UK – something that it’s famous for across the world. 8,000 Friday’s bartenders now compete annually for the title of TGI Fridays World Bartender Champion – one of the most coveted prizes in the bartending industry.

Fridays opened its first UK restaurant in Birmingham in March 1986. There are now 63 Fridays in the UK – a number which is set to continue growing as Fridays continues its UK growth across towns and cities across the country.

Fridays fast facts

  • Fridays holds the Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously cocktail flairing – check out the video here
  • You’ll see a lot of cocktails on the menu of many bars across the world – which were first created at Fridays. Fridays has over 500 cocktails on its menu and our master bartenders know every single one
  • TGI Fridays was the first national chain to have every restaurant achieve a rating of five in the National Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme
  • Friday’s has achieved a One Star Rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA),underlining the company’s commitment to sustainability and the environment
  • The Fridays Family Foundation supports team members in pursuits outside of work such as learning new skills or contributing to their local community

Fridays has been recognised by the industry with many award wins including:

  • MIDAS Awards – Winner (Casual Dining)
  • Peach Icon Award 2013 – Karen Forrester
  • Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2013 – Awarded 3 Stars (Extraordinary) and finished third overall – the top-ranking restaurant brand in the UK
  • Eat Out Awards 2013 – Winner (Team of the Year)
  • Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2012 – Winner (Evolutionary Brand of the Year)
  • Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2012 – Winner (Leadership – Karen Forrester)
  • RLI International Restaurateur 2012 – Winner

For more information, visit www.tgifridays.co.uk or www.fridays.com.  

About Gloucester Quays Outlet Centre:

Gloucester Quays is owned by The Peel Group. The outlet centre, opened in 2009, is located within the Historic Docks.

Phase One of the £400 million centre currently comprises nearly 60 leading retail brands offering up to 70% off recommended retail prices. Phase Two, the leisure quarter, has created space for 11 restaurant units along with a Cineworld 10-screen digital cinema and a new operated by The Gym. The extension formally opened in December 2013. Footfall is expected to hit four million per annum in 2014.

www.gloucesterquays.co.uk