Simon Shaw confirms plans for third El Gato Negro

Simon Shaw has confirmed plans to open a third El Gato Negro tapas restaurant in Leeds.

The restaurant is expected to open at 35 Park Row this winter on a former Jamie's Italian site.

Shaw said: "I was born and raised in Yorkshire and got my first real footing as a chef in Leeds; it has always been my intention to return and open a restaurant in the city.

"I've spent the last four years looking for the right location and when the Jamie's site became available it was too good an opportunity to miss. It's a beautiful building steeped in history and has the most incredible features; whilst El Gato Negro restaurants will be consistent in great quality food and service, it's essential to me that every restaurant has its own identity, its own story to tell. Finding the right heritage building in the right location is key to that, we'll not compromise on either.

"I've worked hard building a management team that sees us capable of expansion. I'm confident in our position and am looking forward to opening both in Leeds and, this August, in Liverpool; two of the North's most exciting cities."

El Gato Negro is a partnership between Simon Shaw and Mills Hill Developments. The new premises were secured by Louise Larking of Fox Lloyd Jones, acting on behalf of Mills Hill Developments, with Richard Shuttleworth at Pudney Shuttleworth acting on behalf of KPMG the administrators.

Shaw opened the first El Gato Negro in Manchester in February 2016 and in September 2018 opened his second tapas restaurant in Manchester, Canto.

A second El Gato Negro will open at Exchange Flags in Liverpool this August, taking on the site formerly occupied by Steven Gerrard's Vincent Café after chef Aiden Byrne's plans for the venue fell through.

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