Loungers secures fourth site for Brightside dining brand
The lease has been agreed with property business Godwin Developments and represensts the fourth with the company with the latest being the biggest unit at Godwin’s new roadside retail development, Ram Jam Services, in Rutland.
The site is located on the northbound section of the A1 in Rutland, which is about 20 miles east of Leicester.
Loungers recently announced its Brightside brand is set to open its first restaurant – which is reminiscent of the Happy Eater and Little Chef sites from the ’70s and ’80s – will open on the A38, south of Exeter, in February 2023, with the next two locations to follow quickly on the A303 near Honiton and on the A38 near Saltash, in the spring next year.
‘Value for money’
The Rutland restaurant will be housed in a purpose-built, 4,500sq ft unit that is estimated to see about 41,500 vehicles passing the site daily as well as residents of the local area.
The Brightside menu is said to offer “excellent value for money and exceptional service to roadside dining” serving a freshly cooked menu full of classic, comfort food-style dishes.
Loungers founder-chairman Alex Reilley said: “We believe Brightside will really shake up what has become an uninspiring sector and that there is potential to roll out Brightside across the UK in the coming years.
“Our expertise in high-quality, great value all-day dining, developed through Lounge and Cosy Club, gives us confidence that Brightside can bring proper hospitality back to roadside dining across the UK.”
Thriving roadside destination
Claudine Tracey, associate director, commercial development at Godwin Developments, added: “We are delighted to have secured Loungers’ new Brightside brand for our Ram Jam Services development.
“The site has historically been a thriving roadside destination and we are really pleased to be breathing new life into it, bringing amenities and consumer choice, attracting passing motorists as well as those who are travelling to and live in the local area.”
Ogle Property and Shakespeare Martineau acted for Godwin Developments on the deal. The remaining unit is being marketed by Ogle Property.
Loungers currently operates 175 Lounges and 35 Cosy Club venues and recently announced it was accelerating its site roll-out programme, targeting 30 new openings in the current financial year and between 32 and 34 on an ongoing basis.
