Vietnamese street food firm Pho is to open a restaurant in Plymouth’s listed Royal William Yard as it continues its expansion.
The company, which already has eateries in Bristol, Cheltenham and Exeter, will operate from the ground floor of the Grade I listed Melville building.
Pho is due to open in the summer of 2022 and will be found alongside other new arrivals in the building including the Everyman cinema, Cornish burger chain Hub Box, and coworking space BLOCK Plymouth.
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The first phase of the building’s regeneration is now nearing completion with work already under way on the Everyman, Hub Box and BLOCK units.
A popular and growing restaurant brand, Pho has a collection of restaurants across the UK – and Plymouth will be its most southerly location. The next nearest is in Exeter’s Queen Street.
Specialising in the national dish of Vietnam - pho is a healthy noodle soup - Pho will serve freshly cooked Vietnamese food, alongside a “unique” drinks menu.
Founded in 2005 by husband and wife, Stephen and Juliette Wall, the first Pho opened in London after the couple travelled to Vietnam and fell in love with the food. Seventeen years later, the brand is expanding its presence across the UK, with Plymouth becoming its 34th restaurant.
Mr Wall said: “Royal William Yard is quite simply awe-inspiring and we can’t wait to open in the Melville building nearby other operators we know and love. We look forward to welcoming the people of Plymouth to Pho this summer.”
At the heart of the brand and central to its menu, Pho’s broths are simmered for at least 12 hours before they hit the bowl. Also on offer will be sharing starters like spring and summer rolls, spicy salads, wok-fried rice and decadent curries, plus Vietnamese beers and coffees, fresh juices, cocktails and a hand-picked wine list.
Catering for all, 98% of the menu at Pho is gluten free, and is accredited by Coeliac UK. In addition, 40% of the menu is vegan. The restaurant also has a strong family focus with an affordable children’s menu too.
Emily Jones, commercial director at Urban Splash, said: “This is true regeneration in action; delicately restoring a derelict building, breathing new life into it, and hand-picking incredible businesses to call it home.
“Thanks to years of work by a talented team, Melville building is ready for its next chapter, and we can’t wait for everyone to see what a remarkable place it is. By working closely with Pho over several years, we’ve created the perfect space for them – it’s a real celebration to reach this point. Time after time we’ve brought new brands and businesses to the city, and we’re excited to welcome Pho to Plymouth. We now have a truly global food offering with something for everyone at Royal William Yard.”
Neighbouring the new Pho restaurant will be a new Hub Box restaurant. The Truro-headquartered chain shut its outlet in Plymouth city centre in January 2022 and is due to open at the Royal William Yard at Easter in a 3,400sq ft space on the ground floor of the Melville block. It will create a bar and 180-seat restaurant, with indoor and outdoor courtyard.
