KWB helps bring national restaurant operator to Worcester

KWB Birmingham commercial property agents have provided a lease advisory service to a Worcester commercial property owner on bringing a fast growing national restaurant operator to the city.

Martin Cook, Head of Lease Advisory at KWB, advised well-known private client landlord, Mike Gibson on a new 20-year lease of the former Pavilion In the Park pub in Tybridge Street, Worcester, to American-style barbecue and smokehouse brand, Hickory’s Smokehouse, for its eighth UK location.

Located adjacent to Cripplegate Park, the new 150-cover restaurant will feature an open kitchen as well as a cinema room internally, and outside a children’s play zone, table tennis area, firepit and veranda. The chain, which prides itself on its authentic Southern Barbecue Style experience, already has two other restaurants in Castle Bromwich and Burton Green in the West Midlands, alongside sites in Merseyside, Coventry, Chester and North Wales.

Work has already started on the £1 million fit out of the new restaurant, which will bring 80 new jobs to Worcester and is expected to open in late Summer.

Now retired, landlord Mike Gibson is a well-known bar and nightclub designer who has owned, developed and operated bars and nightclubs in St Helens, Cheltenham, Bristol and Worcester, the most recent being Breeez which operated until 2012 in the premises now let to Hickory’s Smokehouse.

Martin Cook said: “This is an excellent location for Hickory’s Smokehouse close to the city centre, providing them with all the space they need to deliver their authentic experience.” Martin has advised Mike Gibson for a number of years, and advises pub, club and restaurant owners across the West Midlands on leases, valuations and business rates.

Hickory’s Smokehouse Head of Property, Jim Bishop, said: “Worcester has been on our wishlist for some time, as it is a beautiful city and the location fits in superbly with our existing estate. We look forward to becoming part of the local community and bringing our authentic BBQ flavours to the people of Worcester and surrounding areas. We are continuing to grow and are seeking further venues, ideally within two and a half hours of our Chester HQ.”

For more information on KWB’s lease advisory service, contact Martin Cook on 0121 233 2330 or email mcook@kwboffice.com.