Fast-expanding Thai tapas chain Giggling Squid is opening a second restaurant in Cardiff in an investment creating 45 new jobs. Its new venue, at the 150,000 sq ft mixed-use Mermaid Quay scheme in Cardiff Bay, will open next year adding to its only other Welsh venue in the centre of the capital.
Giggling Squid will occupy a 4,800 sq ft terraced unit combining space previously occupied by Bayside Brasserie and Bellini’s Italian restaurants operated by independent restaurateur Babak Arabastani. Mr Arabastani will continue to trade his third Italian restaurant in the scheme – Signor Valentino’s.
The latest letting at Mermaid Quay, owned by Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (SCREF), follows a multi-million refurbishment of the scheme’s public realm.
Founded by Pranee and Andrew Laurillard, with its first restaurant opening in Brighton, Giggling Squid currently operates 46 venues, but with new openings, like in Cardiff Bay, will soon increase to 50.
Andy Laurillard, chief executive of Giggling Squid, said: “I love Cardiff, it’s an amazing place. Great shopping, cool entertainment scene, and loads of superb restaurants. Mermaid Quay is a brilliant place to showcase our fresh and flavourful Thai menu and we’re excited to introduce the Giggling Squid experience to Cardiff Bay to locals and visitors.”
James Pentlow, SCREF’s asset manager for Mermaid Quay, said: “Giggling Squid is an exciting addition that will further broaden the range of cuisines available at Mermaid Quay and we know that it will be very popular with both our many regular customers who work and live in Cardiff Bay as well as all visitors and tourists that are attracted to it.
“Our significant investment in the refurbishment of Mermaid Quay’s public areas forms a central part of our strategy to enhance and improve the positioning of the scheme - recent lettings to operators of the calibre of Giggling Squid and the Club House are testament to that. There is further investment to come which we hope will further enhance the vitality of the bay and its offering.
“Our approach also supports Cardiff Council’s ambitious vision for the future of Cardiff Bay – which includes the new 17,000 capacity indoor arena. In addition, there are plans for new walking and cycling routes and improved public transport links.”
Letting agents for Mermaid Quay are Savills and EJ Hales.
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