Malaysian meals introduce spice to life at Quartermile

The firm behind the ten-year development of the Quartermile site says it has secured an authentic Malaysian restaurant for the site.

Nanyang, run by a couple with a decade’s experience in Malaysia’s restaurant industry who are taking their first step into the UK restaurant scene, will occupy one of the newly-created units on the edge of a new public square.

It follows news that hotel giant Marriott is to run a 107-bed hotel at Quartermile, and human resource consultants Mercer is to open an office for up to 100 staff.

The deal has been concluded despite developer Gladedale Capital putting the whole site up for sale. Martin Smith, Gladedale Capital’s development director, said: “This additional letting really starts to bring life into Lister Square.

“I hope these recent announcements will encourage other restaurant brands to lease one of the remaining units.”

The new Lister Square is expected to become a major new hub of activity, featuring al-fresco dining from the cafes, bars and restaurants that are proposed.

But Nanyang is the first company to commit to a unit on the new square, having signed a 15-year lease worth £45,000 a year.

The Nanyang brand will attempt to promote Malaysian tradition through funding secured specifically to promote the country’s culture in the UK.

In a statement, the husband-and-wife team behind the brand said: “Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual society. Malays, Chinese, Indians and many other ethnic groups have lived together in Malaysia for generations. All these cultures have influenced each other, creating a fusion between cuisine and culture.

“We will use a variety of Malaysian spices, sauces and traditional recipes to create the special flavours of Nanyang. .

“We chose to open the first restaurant in Quartermile because it is a remarkable location in the city centre.”