Manchester's Royal George hotel ballroom is the latest addition to Paul Heathcote's Olive Press restaurant chain. Building work began six months ago on the 3,800sq ft Grade-II listed site, which is due to open as a 100-seat venue in March next year.
The ballroom revamp is part of the £10m transformation of the hotel site, which includes shops, offices, apartments and two restaurants.
The Michelin-starred owner of Preston's Longridge restaurant described the £700,000 refurb as "a controversial project" because of the building's listed status. "We wanted an open grill but ventilation was a problem. We're now looking for a way around it," he added. The eighth restaurant in the chain will include an outside dining area for 40.
It's one of four Olive Presses due to open over the next year. A £600,000, 150-seat venue will open in Bolton in July and a £700,000, 100-seat venue will open in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, in October. Work is also under way at a fourth undisclosed location.
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