A NEW £300,000 healthy eating restaurant is to open at Belfast's Soloist Building in September creating as many as 25 jobs.
The Irish News can reveal that Stacks Healthy Kitchen is to join Caffè Nero and new Italian restaurant Gustoé at the modern office block in September, with work beginning on site last month.
Owner James Deery said the new Belfast city centre restaurant could be part of an Ireland-wide expansion, which may include as many as four outlets in the north.
"We're already looking at The Boulevard in Banbridge and The Junction in Antrim and we're also looking to franchise Ireland-wide," he said.
"We want to franchise the model out and obviously want three or four outlets in the north, there's big plans."
Managing agents Colliers International has agreed to let a 1,600 sq ft ground floor unit at the modern office building to Mr Deery, who also operates Stacks Bistro on the Mallusk Road in Newtownabbey and an app-lead meal plan service.
Due to open in early September the 60 seater restaurant will add to the growing healthy food scene in Belfast, which already includes established names Slims Healthy Kitchen and Skinny Kitchen.
Mr Deery said the new restaurant will cater for all tastes, but have a healthy twist, with the likes of skinny beer and cocktails on offer for customers.
"We wanted to create a place for everyone, but one that has a healthy aspect to it and has the calories broken down with each meal."
"The feedback has been superb from the offices and the surrounding area and people are looking forward to us opening in September. We're five years behind in Northern Ireland, and this market is increasing through gyms and healthy eating so I believe it can do well."
"The location is perfect for our market and what we are wanting to portray. Being on the edge of the city centre, being across from the courts and the offices beside us is ideal. There is no one offering what we offer," he added.
Last week The Irish News revealed that experienced restaurateur Guido Cavalier, who operates the successful and established ‘Sapori Italiani' restaurant in Newry, is to open new Italian restaurant Gustoé at the Soloist in late September/mid October, creating dozens of new jobs.
Global professional services firm KPMG moved to the Soloist last year, taking 49,000 sq ft on the upper floors, with international law firm Pinsent Masons occupying the remaining space.
The five-storey Soloist Building is the result of an international design competition jointly sponsored by developer Ewart Properties and Laganside Corporation. Construction of the building was completed in 2014.
