Slim Chickens to open 5,200 sq ft restaurant at Merry Hill

Slim Chickens is set to open a 5,229 sq ft restaurant at Merry Hill in Dudley this May.

The ‘better chicken’ brand’s two-storey restaurant will have space for 175 covers and be located at one of the food court entrances to the scheme.

The restaurant will look to strengthen the existing food and beverage offering at Merry Hill, offering a range of fried chicken including tenders and buffalo wings, alongside sandwiches and salads.

Ben Blore, head of operations at Slim Chickens, said: “We’re proud to continue our expansion across the UK with this latest signing at Merry Hill. The destination already boasts a diverse and vibrant dining scene with a loyal customer base, so we are looking forward to welcoming customers from across the West Midlands, to enjoy our Southern-inspired comfort food.”

Nick Round, senior asset manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, added: “The signing of Slim Chickens is a big step for Merry Hill, as we continue to attract great quality F&B. Slim Chickens has proven success, so this commitment highlights Merry Hill’s profitability, and reinforces its appeal as a leading dining and leisure destination for visitors.”

The deal follows the recent signings of Burger & Sauces and Heavenly Desserts at Merry Hill. This pair of additions mark the completion of the scheme’s new leisure quarter and follow a landmark year for food and beverage at Merry Hill, with spend and conversion rates surpassing the regional mall benchmarks.

JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.