Big names offering 'new dining concept'

Published on Monday 12 January 2009 20:24

THEY are entrepreneur and restaurateur. Now they have come together in a business venture.

With their combined flair for promotion, Sir David Murray and Tony Singh are promising that their first project together, a restaurant in Edinburgh, will offer "a new dining concept".

But the pair – both of whom have a reputation as canny business people –yesterday made it clear that they are carefully marketing their new venture for the credit-crunched times.

Tony's Table, which the chef proprietor of Oloroso is setting up with Murray, will provide "uncomplicated, quality, substantial and wholesome food at a good price".

As part of the agreement, Singh will lease the building that currently houses Circus Restaurant from Murray International Holdings (MIH), the Rangers' chairman's holding company that takes in both his football and metals interests.

Neither side was last night prepared to say how much they had put into the deal but MIH will have a minority shareholding in the new venture. The new restaurant will combine a "bistro-style restaurant" with an on-site bakery as well as a sandwich shop, Circus Express, next door.

Wines at the restaurant, which will have 60 covers, will be supplied exclusively by Murray's wine importing business. A keen wine collector, the millionaire entrepreneur owns vineyards in France.

Singh, who also runs the Roti restaurant in Edinburgh, said: "This is a time when people want value for money and our aim is to get families and foodies visiting our new venue to enjoy simple, but tasty dishes: somewhere that families can dine together and know what they're eating is healthy and hearty."

Murray said: "Tony Singh's track record as an outstanding chef and successful entrepreneur speaks for itself and I am delighted to join him in this exciting new project."

Tony's Table would be "value driven, offering good food at affordable prices", a spokeswoman for Singh said.

The restaurateur plans to charge about 20 for a three-course dinner. The lunch menu will present a selection of dishes ranging in price from 2.50 to 9.

A spokeswoman for Singh said that Circus employees "will be offered the opportunity to join the new restaurant".

David MacKenzie, the general manager at Circus, will take up this role at the new restaurant – before joining Circus, MacKenzie worked at Oloroso.

Circus was originally located in Edinburgh's Stockbridge and run by Murray's younger son, Keith. It closed in 2006 but was reopened in its current location in North Castle Street.

It is understood that Keith Murray has not been involved in the business for about a year.