Casual Dining Group enters pub sector with two new sites

Casual Dining Group (CDG) has signed a deal to run two pubs in Heathrow airport, marking the company's entry into the pub sector.

The operator of restaurants such as Bella Italia, Café Rouge and Las Iguanas, has assumed management control of two existing pubs -the Three Bells and the Five Tuns - located respectively at Terminals Three and Five.

The pubs will be renamed the Darwin (Terminal Three) and the George (Terminal Five). They will also be converted to a new Ale & Coffee House concept, which has been developed with the design support of co-founder of Geronimo Inns, Joanna Clevely.

Refurbishment is expected to take place later this year.

Mark Nelson, CDG's managing director of concessions and franchising, said: "We're delighted to have secured these sites and our new partnership gives us huge credibility as we enter the pub sector. It demonstrates our continued passion to be at the forefront of the hospitality sector, not just as an operator of casual dining restaurants but food-led pubs too.

"We look forward to growing this business and seeking further opportunities to build on this collaboration, such as in other airport locations and transport hubs, including major train stations."

CDG currently operates five restaurants at London's Heathrow Airport. It is set to open a Bella Italia and Oriel Grande Brasserie at London Luton Airport early in 2017.

This year the group announced it will invest £1m in five air and landside outlets after securing a contract with Jersey Airport.

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