Nottingham's new Island Quarter is rapidly taking shape, with the names of the highly anticipated bar and grill, fine dining restaurant and events space being revealed.
Canal Turn, the first phase of the development which is set to open later this year, pays homage to the site’s eclectic past and the pioneering local Victorian businesses which flourished on what was known as 'the island' back in the 1800s.
The ground floor, including an outdoor plaza that will boast a large stage area for live entertainment, has been named Binks Yard after Henry Binks, a Victorian beer retailer based on the site in 1895.
The "sophisticated but approachable" dining offering on the first floor has been named Cleaver and Wake.
Led by former MasterChef: The Professionals winner, Nottingham-born Laurence Henry, inspiration comes from the two entrepreneurs who had a lace dressing shop on the site – in almost exactly the place where the restaurants will be situated.
The name is further reflected in the second-floor events space - Upstairs at Cleaver and Wake, a 250-person venue for meetings and celebrations.
Head chef Laurence said: “After many months of discussion and deliberation, I’m incredibly excited to be able to share the name of the restaurant I’ll be leading.
"Being involved in all the decision making from the beginning, such as the names, employees and the food offering, which we firmly believe needs to be rooted in Nottingham, has been a fantastic experience. I can’t wait to reveal more about our plans for the space before the opening later this year.”
John Whitehead, food, beverage and events project director at Canal Turn, said: “We are delighted to finally announce the names of the new spaces opening soon at The Island Quarter.
"From the outset, we have believed it is important to have meaning behind what we’re creating on site and have conducted extensive research to incorporate the area’s heritage into its future.
“As the ground floor drinks offering will be dedicated to locally brewed beers and cask ales, our research highlighted Henry Binks as a prominent beer retailer, which we thought was the perfect way to bring the past into the present.
“Similarly, Nottingham is known for being makers of fine lace and we wanted to mirror this luxury in the name of our finer dining option by incorporating the name of a former maker and finisher that was situated on the edge of the site.
"We can’t wait to share this exciting vision with the people of Nottingham and beyond when we open our doors. There is an extensive recruitment programme underway to fill a number of roles for both venues.”
The Island Quarter was once home to the Boots headquarters that set up on the site in the late 1800s. At this time, ‘the island’ was flanked by canals, which gave it its name and was buzzing with busy businesses – from glove maker start-ups to a cotton factory.
The opening of the first phase of Canal Turn marks a huge step forward in the wider plan for the 36-acre site.
The restaurant and events venue will be followed by the construction of phase 1B, which includes a 223-room hotel, 247 residential apartments, co-working space and further food and drink outlets.
The hotel will be operated by IHG, which is bringing its Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suits to the site, creating more than 700 jobs.
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