HIGH street food chain TGI Fridays will add its first restaurant in County Durham later this year after agreeing to join a host of other big names on the City of Durham’s The Riverwalk.

Announcing the news earlier this week, Clearbell Property Partners, revealed that the American-inspired food & cocktail restaurant chain would be moving into the City of Durham by ‘the end of the year’.

As part of the deal, the restaurant will take a 6,000 sq ft unit, and will become the Riverwalk’s eighth restaurant, in addition to the Food Pit which offers a range of street food options.

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The lease with TGI Fridays comes in addition to two new lettings at The Riverwalk since the start of the year.

This includes Pizza Punks, the sourdough pizza company, which is now open to guests, while Maple Patisserie is also now open, offering coffee and patisseries made using locally sourced ingredients.

Stewart Forsyth, Development Director at Clearbell Capital, said: “Pizza Punks and Maple Patisserie have already proven popular with shoppers as footfall at leisure and retail destinations across the UK increases following the pandemic.

The Northern Echo: The Riverwalk in Durham will now have eight food outlets. Picture: CLEARBELL. The Riverwalk in Durham will now have eight food outlets. Picture: CLEARBELL.

“We look forward to welcoming TGI Fridays to The Riverwalk, which will only add to the range of distinctive and varied dining options for our visitors.”

This will be TGI Fridays first restaurant in County Durham, despite the chain having other outlets in Stockton, Gateshead and Newcastle across the North East.

Robert B. Cook, TGI Fridays CEO, added: “We are very excited to bring Fridays to the historic and vibrant city of Durham. This year has already been a landmark one for our iconic restaurants; and opening at The Riverwalk marks another milestone in our exciting journey.

“We can’t wait to welcome guests in to try our delicious food, signature cocktails and get that Fridays Feeling.”

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