Chelmsford landmark to become new American-themed restaurant
The landmarket Anne Knight building, in Duke Street, Chelmsford is to become a Grand Central American-themed restaurant.
The Grade II listed building, once a meeting hal for Quakers, is being converted into its new use with plans to open this summer
It is the latest project by Essex-based TLC Inns which already operates Grand Central themed restaurants in Ipswich, Colchester and Basildon.
This will be its ninth restaurant and pub across Essex and East Anglia.
Director Steve Haslam said: “We aim to be open in the summer, in about six weeks.
“As a Chelmsford family we are proud to be the new custodians of such a wonderful building.
“We believe with 240 dining seats we will be the largest independent family owned restaurant in Chelmsford. With a new menu being created for Chelmsford and due to roll out across all our Grand Centrals, we are all very excited.
“Chelmsford will also feature a house band in our live lounge.
“With 60 new team members being recruited we look forward to bringing something new different and exciting to our home town.”
The new restaurant will cover approximately 6.500sq ft of space.
The iconic Anne Knight buidling was part of the campus for Anglia Ruskin University which is new being re-developed.
The famous Chelmford building, one of the first things that passengers see when they step off the railway station, took 12 months to renovate.
Grand Central will be the flagship commercial unit in the scheme.
The Anne Knight building has had a number of uses over the years, including a sports hall for the university, and various arts and festival uses.
TLC Inns, a family business, is a successful operator of pubs and restaurants across the region.
It’s major Ipswich restaurant, is at the heart of the Waterfront area, overlooks the Old Custom House and the marina.
It is one of the largest restaurants in Ipswich.
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