Member Article

Further investment for the Merrion Centre’s Arena Quarter Leisure Development as final stage of the TCS

Town Centre Securities PLC, has unveiled its latest new tenants and investment at the Merrion Centre’s Arena Quarter Leisure Development in Leeds.

Bulgogi Grill, which will introduce the city of Leeds to a brand new culinary concept, Korean BBQ, has just exchanged for premises extending circa 1500 sq ft at 9 Merrion Way. The restaurant has already appointed a head chef and is currently recruiting for an additional 10 roles. The fit out of Bulgogi Grill will command an investment of £250,000 and will include internal and external dining areas.

In addition to Bulgogi Grill, TCS has just completed a 20 year lease with Jones Bar Group and handed over the keys of 19 Merrion Way. Fit out will begin imminently and The Jones Bar Group’s LAB Bar will be opening in May. LAB Bar has recently appointed internal management and is now recruiting for an additional 20 roles.

The Proper Sandwich Shop has already started its fit out of its premises at 15 Merrion Way and opened its doors to the general public on Saturday 8th March.

Helen Green, Associate Director of Estates for Town Centre Securities PLC comments; “Our leisure development in the heart of Arena Quarter is over 75% let now and we are building a strong line up, appealing to customers old and new. We are delighted that Bulgogi Grill has chosen the Merrion Centre to launch its first UK venture. This innovative restaurant will compliment our existing Arena Quarter offering, comprising: Pure Gym, Costa, Cosmo, LAB bar and The Proper Sandwich Company. Pure Gym and Costa have already opened and are proving to be very popular. Pure Gym is typically seeing over 1500 members attend on a week day. We very much look forward to the new bars and restaurants opening.”

Adam Harris, proprietor of Bulgogi Grill, and his business partner, Jason Kim Lee have been researching the dining out experience in Leeds for over a year and believe that Bulgogi is a truly a unique offering. The restaurant was inspired by Adam’s love of the Far East, having worked there in business for 10 years and Jason’s passion and knowledge of Korean cooking.

Jason comments, “Our cooking is truly authentic, we source original ingredients and follow established family recipes producing delicious flavours. I am originally from Korea but now live in Germany where I own a very similar restaurant; it is the number one restaurant out of 1,320 restaurants in Cologne on Trip Advisor. I have the experience, but also the heritage of Korean cooking and am eager to introduce this to the UK. The Merrion Centre is our first UK opening, with future plans to extend across Yorkshire.”

Serving lunch, dinner, coffee and cake, Bulgogi is the Korean name for a meat marinade. The restaurant will offer customers the unique experience of grilling their own food on their own built in grill situated in the middle of the table. Focussed on offering top quality grilled meats combined with Korean influenced side dishes and drinks, the restaurant plans to apply for a 2am licence.

TCS is also now entering the final phase of its own multi million pound Arena Quarter development. The final phase consists of the redevelopment of the Merrion Centre Car Park. Following last summer’s £250,000 investment into the hi-tech parking management system, the 1000 spaces in the car park are receiving a face lift and larger spaces will be available, allowing more ease for parking as well as EVC charging points for electric cars and more disabled spaces. New elevators are being installed, giving customers more space and offering a faster service.

Ben Ziff, Managing Director of Town Centre Car Parks (TCCP) said; “This refurbishment will help to transform the car park into the most modern and technologically advanced car park in Leeds. In January 2014, over 40,000 customers parked in the car park and we relish the opportunity to improve their overall experience, particularly as there is an ever growing amount of brilliant events taking place at the First Direct Arena next door. As the car park is already popular it will be staying open throughout the refurbishment period”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Janie Readman .