Thai Express opens 5th site at Grand Central Birmimgham

Hammerson has announced that global quick-service restaurant, Thai Express has opened its first regional restaurant at Grand Central, part of the Bullring Estate in Birmingham,

The new eatery features a street-food style open kitchen with two wok stations to cater for customers dining-in as well as those that wish to takeaway.

Brought to the UK in 2012 by husband and wife team, Sachin and Uzma Pattani, the Thai Express franchise now has more than 300 locations worldwide with the Grand Central location becoming the brand’s fifth site in the UK and only the second outside of London.

Sarah Fox, Head of Restaurants and Leisure at Hammerson, said, “We are delighted to welcome Thai Express to the growing dining line-up at Grand Central. Their quick service offer of authentic Thai food follows in the footsteps of Comptoir Libanais and Mowgli, who have also opened their first restaurants in the region at Grand Central this year.

‘This new opening adds to the international cuisine available, making this one of the city’s most exciting dining destinations in terms of choice and variety.”

Managing Director Sachin Pattani, Managing Director at Thai Express, commented, “Opening our fifth UK restaurant and first in the West Midlands is a real milestone in our brands global expansion.

‘We specialise in combining traditional Thai cuisine with new-world design and flavours, and are thrilled to now offer this passion for authentic Thai food with our new customers in Birmingham.

‘The location above the busy New Street Station and alongside some fantastic retail and dining brands is exciting and we already feel very much at home.”

This follows the recent news that Harlem-influenced soul food operator, Holy Moly Macaroni will open its debut restaurant opposite Tortilla, covering 1,750 sq ft. The brand, headed up by local Birmingham chef, Anthony Duffy, will also sit alongside fish and chip operator, Tasty Plaice, which recently opened a 1,100 sq ft restaurant.