Bistro Qui? Limited, the team behind the popular Bistros – Pierre, Franc, Jacques, The Hub Alehouse & Kitchen, Button Street Smokehouse and Bistro Jacques in Shrewsbury – is adding two new restaurant/bar concepts to its Liverpool portfolio.

Agent Hitchcock Wright & Partners have secured two new city centre units on behalf of Bistro Qui?

The new additions to the Bistro Qui? brand will be ‘The Refinery’; a world tapas/bar concept and ‘Chicha’; a Peruvian street kitchen.

The company already has five city centre restaurants including three French-themed bistros on Hardman Street, Button Street and Hanover Street. Two further establishments include The Hub Alehouse & Kitchen on Hanover Street and the Button Street Smokehouse in the city’s Cavern Quarter. The company also operates a Bistro Jacques in Shrewsbury.

Company directors Mark Friend and Stephen Slater opened their first venture in their hometown of Liverpool, Bistro Pierre over 12 years ago. The latest ventures are part of the company’s expansion plans, as a result of its strong performance in the past few years. They continue to look for further sites in Liverpool, Manchester, Chester and Leeds.

The first of the two new sites, ‘The Refinery’ will occupy a 4,476 sq ft ground floor unit on the corner of Hope Street and Myrtle Street, within a new student accommodation development, managed by Victoria Hall.

The second new site for Bistro Qui? is situated on 55 Bold Street, formerly occupied by fashion shop, Ran. The 3,131 sq ft unit will house new restaurant ‘Chicha’.

Bistro Qui has signed a 20 year lease on both units.

Premise licences and planning permissions have been granted for both sites and work has begun to fit out the restaurants.

Director Mark Friend says:

“We have spent years creating a restaurant brand that is focused on great value dining and fresh food. We are proud of our portfolio of restaurants and want to continue to innovate and bring our eateries to the public. Bistro Qui? makes good times taste great!

“It has long been our plan to grow and expand, so we’re excited to announce the two new restaurants in Liverpool city centre which are an exciting start to 2016.”

A further restaurant in Shrewsbury will follow soon after.

Matt Kerrigan, partner at Hitchcock Wright & Partners, who led the deal, says:

“Bistro Qui? is a great company which has carved out its reputation in Liverpool’s thriving food and drink scene. The two new sites are in fantastic locations and will be integral to the company’s future expansion plans and success.”