Noodle restaurant opts for site at Yard

WORLDWIDE noodle restaurant chain wagamama is to move to the Royal William Yard, creating 25 jobs.

The restaurant will fill 4,750sq ft of space in the Brewhouse building and is due to open by March next year.

It is the third major chain to announce it is moving into the former Royal Naval victualling yard in recent weeks – and will bring the number of restaurants operating in the RWY by next year to seven.

The wagamama brand specialises in serving freshly prepared, Japanese-inspired dishes.

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The firm operates in nearly 20 countries and has more than 60 British outlets, including in Bristol, Bath and Exeter.

It said that "due to recent success" it wants to expand and was impressed with the quality of the environment and community at RWY.

Although it still needs licence and planning permission, wagamama Plymouth hopes to be open by the spring in a "flagship position" facing the marine basin.

It will have about 140 covers inside the restaurant, tables outside too, and will create about 25 jobs.

Sharon Cawthorne, wagamama's director of property, said: "The opportunity at RWY was too good to miss. It's a stunning environment and great location. We hope wagamama can add to the

high-quality food and community offer."

The chain becomes the third to recently announce it was opening at RWY.

In July, the Las Iguanas chain said it would open a Latin American-themed diner in three units covering 6,234sq ft of the Brewhouse, this Autumn.

And just last week, The Herald revealed that French cuisine outlet Le Bistrot Pierre is due to start trading in February next year in 3,800sq ft of the recently refurbished New Cooperage building.

The new intake reinforces the yard's standing as a market for restaurants.

The Mills Bakery building already houses Seco Lounge and the Italian-style Prezzo, which at 4,700sq ft will be slightly smaller than the new wagamama venue.

Meanwhile celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstal's River Cottage Canteen Deli is based in the Brewhouse, and the Royal William Bakery is due to relocate from that building to the Slaughterhouse and expand its business.

Other businesses have recently been attracted to the yard's listed buildings, too.

Envy RWY hair salon opened last week, the Le Vignoble wine business moved in about two months ago, and architecture practice LHC (formerly Lacey, Hickie Caley), is relocating from Sutton Harbour to the Guard House.

"We are thrilled a great brand like wagamama has chosen RWY," said Emily Handslip, from Urban Splash, the firm which is developing the yard.

"As well as adding variety to the food offering at the yard, wagamama is also a personal favourite of mine.

"With its incredible food, regular Good Food at the Yard market, cultural activities and stunning surroundings, RWYard can now claim to be an alternative, high-quality, leisure and dining venue in the South West."

The next monthly Good Food at the Yard market is on Sunday, October 7, and will feature a Dig for Victory Competition, with visitors encouraged to take home-grown fruit and vegetables for a harvest contest.