IBERICO DERBY LETTING!!

Leisure News

AN AWARD-WINNING restaurant chain famous for its Spanish tapas is the latest arrival in Derby’s prestigious Cathedral Quarter. 

Iberico World Tapas will open next month in premises on Bold Lane, bringing a new, upmarket dining experience to the city. 

Run by restaurant entrepreneur Dan Lindsay, Iberico offers a menu which blends a Spanish theme with dishes from Europe and Asia. 

Iberico opened its first branch in 2007 and has since won a host of awards, including a prestigious Bib Gourmand from Michelin – awarded to restaurants which deliver Michelin quality without a wallet-crunching bill. 

The deal to bring Iberico to Derby has been negotiated by George Dunnicliff, a surveyor with the Derby office of property consultancy FHP. He says the letting is further evidence of the way in which the city’s restaurant and leisure scene is gaining ground. 

He commented: “Iberico is a real coup for Derby. It is an upmarket restaurant with a very distinctive atmosphere, and it’s run by people who have a great track record for high quality dining experiences. 

“They have had their eye on Derby for some time, which tells you everything you need to know about the vibrancy of the city centre. Bold Lane is perfect for them – they will be operating from a character building in the Cathedral Quarter and the parking facilities nearby are very convenient for customers.” 

Iberico World Tapas opened its first restaurant in Nottingham in 2007 in caves under the Galleries of Justice building. It won immediate praise for its stylish atmosphere and distinctive menu, and has since won a number of awards. 

The Bib Gourmand – which recognises good food at a moderate price – was awarded for 2013, and puts Iberico on the same level as the famous chef Rick Stein’s cafe in Padstow, Cornwall. 

Iberico has signed a 10-year lease on the premises formerly occupied by another restaurant, Mango Tang. Mr Dunnicliff says Derby has great potential for other restaurant and leisure businesses. 

He said: “People have been concerned about the retail industry because it is in a state of transition. Derby’s strength is that in Westfield it has exactly the kind of modern, high quality shopping centre that the major operators look for. 

“We are now seeing signs that the restaurant and leisure sector is taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the character properties elsewhere in the city centre. Indian restaurant Okra opened on Friar Gate recently and has been doing well, now we have Iberico coming to Bold Lane. 

“The Cathedral Quarter Committee and Marketing Derby have been doing an excellent job in putting out a strong message about the potential that the city has. Restaurants and cafes are doing very well here because there is a clear appetite for quality.” 

Dan Lindsay of Iberico said…“We are absolutely delighted to finally being able to open our new restaurant in Derby.  This is a very exciting time for us and we hope to make this new venture a great success.  We contacted FHP as we know they are very active in the Derby retail/leisure market and they turned out to be a great help in locating suitable premises for us”.