Cribbs expands F&B offer with Loungers signing

Cribbs is set to expand its food and beverage offering after the signing of Loungers at the Bristol scheme.

The bar and dining chain, which itself launched in Bristol in 2002, has signed a 15-year lease for the 4,600 sq ft former Pizza Express space within Cribbs’ food court.

This follows the recent announcement that that Joe & The Juice is set to arrive at Cribbs, after the scheme welcomed both Pizza Express and Honest Burgers to the shopping centre in recent weeks, whilst Wingstop will be also be joining the Cribbs Venue lineup later this year.

These new arrivals join existing food and beverage operators at Cribbs including Wagamama, Nando’s, Chopstix, Itsu, Patisserie Valerie, and Slim Chickens.

Katie Searle, director of asset management at Sovereign Centros by CBRE, said: “The arrival of Picaro Lounge continues our transformation of the dining offering at Cribbs to ensure it suits the needs of our visitors. Schemes such as Cribbs are no longer purely retail destinations as they now need to offer a full day out experience which requires a strong dining and leisure offering. At Cribbs we have led the way in the South West by continuing to innovate our offering by bringing in leading UK and international F&B operators to ensure visitors enjoy a diverse dining offer.

“Picaro Lounge is a great addition to this line-up as it has become one of UK hospitality’s most recent success stories and it is fitting that its latest location is a return to its roots in Bristol. Picaro Lounge is a perfect fit for our audience and we look forward to seeing them thrive at Cribbs over the coming years.” 

Alex Kalebic, head of acquisitions at Loungers, added: “We’re hugely excited to be opening Picaro Lounge at Cribbs Mall – a fantastic regional destination right on the doorstep of our Bristol heartland, where we already have eight thriving Loungers. Due to open this summer, Picaro Lounge will be our second location within a covered scheme in the UK.

“Cribbs Mall has been on our radar for a long time, and it’s been a pleasure working with the team to bring our all-day, family-friendly Lounge offer to the scheme. We’re looking forward to elevating the F&B line-up and becoming a welcoming community hub for visitors and locals alike.”

Sovereign Centros from CBRE provides full asset management services across Cribbs on behalf of M&G Real Estate, while Time Retail Partners and Cushman & Wakefield are retained letting agents for the centre, with Green & Partners retained in the leasing advisory role.