Opening of Rhodes W1 is delayed

Fine dining at London's Cumberland hotel, part of Thistle's luxury Guoman brand, has stalled as the restaurant still has to be designed, Caterer can exclusively reveal.

Gary Rhodes's latest upmarket restaurant Rhodes W1 was scheduled to open in the hotel at the end of last year, but the dining space is still empty.

The company would not comment on the reasons for the delay, but a spokeswoman said: "We've been focusing on the brasserie and are in talks with interior designers but we can't confirm an opening date as yet."

The Cumberland was rebranded a Guoman hotel in October 2004 when the property underwent a £95m refurbishment. The hotel's Rhodes W1 brasserie opened in August last year as part of a deal between Thistle Hotels and Restaurant Associates.

By Emily Manson

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