Premier Hospitality

Carluccio

Carluccio
Written by Roma Publications

Carluccio – Expansion Italian-style

Carluccio

The 100 strong Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s continues to grow from strength to strength, with the recently completed half million pound refurbishment of its Garrick Street Covent Garden flagship in the brand’s ’new generation’ design, as well as the opening of a new venue in Derby’s Intu Centre.

The 260-cover Covent Garden restaurant, designed by Fusion by Design, features a bar, dining over two floors and a private dining room, as well as an extensive Italian gourmet food shop and deli. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a broad range of classic Italian food.

Matthew Fletcher, interior designer at Fusion By Design said: “We first worked on the refurbishment of Carluccio’s Spitalfields (the first ‘new generation’ restaurant) before moving on to similarly transform the Covent Garden restaurant.

“This was a large project which ran smoothly and we got through it fairly quickly, with completion in September.

“The delicatessen is located to the right of the main entrance and was comprehensively refurbished, including the installation of new shelving new lighting, new wall tiling and a new display.

“Within the ground floor restaurant we incorporated a raised level with fixed seating which serves to divide a bread and olive display area from the main lower seating area. We also incorporated a small bread and olive waiter station display with pendant lighting.

“The space is furnished with new loose furniture, including marble and tiled table tops and new feature artwork has been incorporated on the walls. A new bar and drinks dispensing area has also been added, new floor finishes have been laid, and new lighting has been installed throughout. The stairwell leading to the first floor has also been re-decorated.”

On the first floor new fixed seating has been installed and new floor coverings laid, new artwork has been hung on the walls and new roller blinds featuring the Carluccio’s ‘trellis’ design has been fitted to the windows.

Matthew Fletcher said: “The project went very smoothly and feedback on the scheme has been very positive. It was quite an honour to work on this major project at the Carluccio’s head office site and to transform the restaurant into what it is today.”

Located on level 2 of the Intu Derby Shopping Centre, the new 124 cover Carluccio’s also includes 600 sq ft of mall seating.

Designed by Design LSM, this is the first ‘new generation’ restaurant outside the capital and combines a deli and shop, stocked with produce including salamis, cheeses, pastas and olive oils, with a dining area incorporating an open plan kitchen, where authentic Italian dishes are made from scratch.

Neil Wickers, chief executive of Carluccio’s, said: “We’re really excited to welcome Carluccio’s to Intu Derby. We feel this is a fantastic addition to our current restaurant offering and is a great new brand to add to the centre.

“The Derby restaurant celebrates and amplifies all the small things that have made Carluccio’s one of the country’s most loved restaurant groups.

“The premise is to emphasise and enhance the things that make Carluccio’s stand out from the crowd – its suppliers, fresh dishes made on-site and unique combination of restaurant, shop and deli.”

Dan Murphy, general manager at Intu Derby, said: “Carluccio’s is well-known and well-loved and is the perfect choice if our visitors are looking for a dining venue that is a little more special.

“We are also extremely proud that Carluccio’s has chosen Intu Derby as the location for their first new generation restaurant outside London.”

Ecsec Ltd

With over 50 years’ experience in interior bar and restaurant fit out and build, Ecsec Ltd deliver projects with flexibility, high quality and punctuality in mind. Ecsec also undertake high-end retail and commercial interior developments.

The dedicated team at Ecsec has the experience and energy to tackle any challenge they face, promising a quality end product. The company has worked with multiple clients including Smiths of Smithfield, Turtle Bay, Giraffe, Aviva, Middleton’s Steakhouse and of course, Carluccio’s.

Following the successful refurbishment of Carluccio’s in Spital Square earlier this year, Ecsec were awarded the contract to refurbish Carluccio’s flag ship site in Garrick Street.

The works to the Grade II listed building were over two floors and included the removal and replacement of bars, fixed seating, raised floors, floor finishes, lighting and various internal shelving and display units, complete redecoration of the restaurant and refurbishment of the toilets. The value of the contract was circa £300k and was completed in three weeks.

Iain Maling of Ecsec Ltd, said:

“We pride ourselves in our exceptional service and value for money and as such have developed long term working relationships with our clients.”

When asked how important it was to be involved with this particular project, Iain replied: “All of our projects are important – but it is good to be involved with an up and coming concept!”

For further information please visit: www.ecsec.com.

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Roma Publications