Empty Chiquito building to become new restaurant and cocktail bar
THE former Chiquito restaurant in Derby is to be home to a new Indian tapas restaurant and cocktail bar.
The new venue, in Pride Park, is expected to open in spring after a refurbishment costing around half a million pounds. It will be able to cater for around 250 people and employ more than two dozen members of staff.
Sanj Kumar, managing director of nearby NK Motors, bought the property earlier this year after seeing it for sale on his drive home.
Chiquito was one of the first victims of the coronavirus pandemic, when the chain ran out of money in March this year.
Mr Kumar said his new restaurant will offer the people of Derby a dining experience like no other and is confident that it will be a success.
The 38-year-old said: “This is something completely new. It’s not like anything else in Derby.
“We’re hoping to offer a bit of everything under one roof. One half of the restaurant will be dedicated to modern Indian cuisine, and the other will be a lively cocktail bar.
“We’re going to have a dedicated DJ deck to offer live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s going to be the place to be.”
Named after Mr Kumar’s son, the Nicco Restaurant and Bar will offer Indian dining with a twist, with the restaurant serving up mixed grill dishes and tapas sharing plates.
Offering a dining experience dedicated to light, smaller portions, customers will have the chance to try a variety of meals for what Mr Kumar says will be a decent price.
People can then let off some steam and party in the bar at night, with the venue securing a trading licence that will allow it to stay open until late.
It was not until after his offer for the property was accepted that Mr Kumar decided to make the old Chiquito into a restaurant. Initially he thought about using it as an extra showroom for NK Motors, but decided to keep the building as a dining venue.
Mr Kumar said the location was the key to his decision. He said: “Pride Park is the best location in Derby. You have the football stadium, loads of people driving by, foot traffic. It seemed the perfect place to open up a new restaurant.”
It is Mr Kumar’s first solo dining investment after becoming partowner of the Lotus Indian Kitchen in Willington several years ago.
NK Construction, part of the NK Motor Group, has made refurbishments worth nearly £500,000 to the property.
Mr Kumar said: “It was initially only going to be a quick revamp but when we got in there we decided to renovate it properly. We’ve cut it apart and started from scratch. We’re installing a state-of-the-art sound system and disco lights. lights Eve Everything will be set up to hold over 250 people and offer a high-quality dining and leisure experience.”
Mr Kumar said he will be relying on local talent. He is aiming to recruit 25 to 30 staff by March next year, including in management and cooking roles.
There are already plans to expand further, with Mr Kumar outlining proposals to bring in more staff and extend the venue after its first year.
He said: “I’ve created plans to build a sleek Champagne bar or shisha lounge at the other end of the car park. There’s loads of space to expand. We have so much potential and I can’t wait to get started.”
Mr Kumar is determined to make it a success despite a challenging year for the hospitality sector.
He said: “I’m 110% confident in the idea. It may be brave or it may be stupid, but sometimes you’ve got to take chances.
“With lots of places shutting down, I wanted to make sure we could offer something positive for the people of Derby in 2021.”