GENSOCIAL
An independent Japanese restaurant in London is planning to launch a new venue in Birmingham city centre.
Robata, which currently operates just a single site in Soho, has lodged new proposals to convert the former Chilango unit at the corner of Colmore Row and Bennetts Hill.
Robata, which means ‘fireside’, serves grilled charcoal cooking and specialises in the izakaya-style of restaurant which strives for a more casual, after-work atmosphere.
Head chef Charles Lee has previously worked at a number of Michelin-starred restaurants during his career before joining Robata.
If approved by city planners and once covid-19 restrictions are eased over the coming months, Robata should benefit from being in an extremely high area for footfall.
The £700 million Paradise project and thee workers of Colmore Row will be on the doorstep while customer numbers should be boosted even further when the 26-storey 103 Colmore Row office block is completed opposite the application site.
But it will also face plenty of competition for customers in a very busy area for the city’s lunch market and night time economy with dozens of venues within a small radius of the application site.
Robata had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
