Brasserie-style restaurant to open at Birmingham’s Custard Factory

The developers behind the Custard Factory in Birmingham’s Digbeth have secured a local operator to open a brasserie-style restaurant at the arts and media centre.
 
Locally-born brothers Steven and Matthew Gilbert will open Matthews of Birmingham on 8 December, offering all-day dining including an a la carte evening menu.
 
Matthew Gilbert, head chef, said the menu would offer “reworked classical recipes along with my own inventions using the highest quality and freshest ingredients”.
 
The 40-seat restaurant will include a separate bar and a 20-seat conference facility, available for private hire.
 
When developer CFNX announced that it was seeking a restaurateur for the Custard Factory – with a promise of £75,000 towards set-up costs – in August, Andreas Antona, chef-proprietor of the Michelin-starred Simpson's restaurant in the city, expressed doubts that it would be a success.
 
“The Custard Factory's location isn't great. The venue has struggled over the years and, from a business point of view, whoever takes on a restaurant there will risk a lot,” he warned.
 
But head of business Steven Gilbert insisted that the Custard Factory was a “genuinely interesting location” that would provide the perfect home for Matthews.
 
“The people working within the site and the surrounding area give it a great sense of energy,” he said. “It is only a short walk from the city centre, has good transport links and easy access to car parking.”  

 
Custard Factory seeks restaurateur with flair >>
 
Antona sells Simply Simpsons in Kenilworth >>
 
Birmingham's local hero >>


By Daniel Thomas

E-mail your comments to Caterer News here.

If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next restaurant job here with Caterersearch.com jobs