Award-winning sushi restaurant will make expansion move

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AN award-winning Japanese restaurant is to replace the former home of Carluccio’s as it sets out to expand.

KIBOUSUSHI in Regent Street, Cheltenham, will move into the former premises of popular Italian restaurant Carluccio’s, which closed down permanently amid lockdown.

Kibousushi was founded by restaurateur Emma Graveney and opened in Regent Street in 2013. However, as a result of Covid-19, it has been operating as a takeaway only.

And with social distancing measures in mind, the restaurant’s future was cast into doubt due to its limited size.

But after a £450,000 refurbishment it will relocate to the former home of Carluccio’s meaning that it will be able to accommodate 80 covers in the restaurant – as opposed to just 25 before – and have a 150-capacity bar.

Emma said: “It is both exciting and rewarding to know that tiny Kibousushi can move on to the next stage and I wish KIBOU Restaurants every success with the project; at last, every customer who wants one can have a table.”

The restaurant plans to open in September following the renovation and will “employ at least 20 staff from the local area”. The expansion comes after it was acquired by KIBOU Restaurants Ltd led by veteran hospitality leader David Franks, who is founder and CEO of Regent Inns.