Coming soon to Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay: with seven outlets already across South West England, Hubbox, is set to open its first restaurant in Wales
Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (‘SREF’) has signed a deal to bring Hubbox to Mermaid Quay, the popular 150,000 sq ft mixed-use destination on the waterfront in Cardiff Bay, as the fund continues its multi-million pound strategic repositioning of the scheme.
Hubbox is a small, independent chain with seven outlets across South West England, this letting marks its first restaurant in Wales. The restaurant has taken a 3,000 sq ft unit, with 500 sq ft of outside seating, located next door to Cosy Club, which opens its doors this month. Everyman will open an 11,500 sq ft, 5-screen boutique cinema at Mermaid Quay later this year, its first in Wales.
The Hubbox and Cosy Club units are located within the planned redevelopment and extension of four units, which have been created alongside a new, high profile corner unit of 1,500 sq ft, with 1,000 sq ft of outside seating, which is currently being marketed by letting agents Savills and Smith Price RRG.
Hubbox’s extensive menu features award-winning burgers, steaks and kebabs along with craft beers, good wine, great coffee and malt-shakes. With an offering of all day eating and drinking in comfortable laid-back interiors, Hubbox prides itself on its roots in the South West, from where all the ingredients are sourced for the menu. It plans to source beers and produce for the Mermaid Quay outlet from Wales and is interested in hearing from local suppliers.
Harry Pickering, SREF’s Head of UK Retail, added:
“Hubbox is sure to prove a popular draw at Mermaid Quay. It joins a growing line-up of popular brands making the unrivalled bay-side location their home, and is testament to SREF’s repositioning of the scheme and the confidence by tenants in our vision.”
Richard Boon, Hubbox CEO, said:
“My wife is from South Wales, we used to visit Cardiff Bay a lot when we first met and she was living there. I have liked the location and the Mermaid Quay scheme since then. I’m excited about the new look and feel that the scheme is about to get and new cool brands including Everyman that will bring a new dynamic. The waterfront location – which is basically in our DNA – suits us perfectly. “
More to come
SREF will start the second phase of improvement works designed to transform the scheme’s public realm in the Autumn. A stylish new landscaped public space is being created in Tacoma Square, where an extensive programme of events and entertainment will take place, as well as a contemporary dockside feel being introduced throughout the scheme. New paving, lighting, landscaping, signage and wayfinding, entrance markers, seating and street furniture will also be installed.
A number of existing occupiers are also investing in the scheme, with Zizzi, Las Iguanas, JRC Global Buffet, Ken Picton Hair Salon and Coffi Co among those that are undertaking refits ahead of Everyman opening.
Mermaid Quay is the focal point of Cardiff Bay and is one of the most popular leisure destinations in the city. The scheme, which is 20 years old this year, attracts around 5.5 million visitors per year.
