itsu Set to Open Branch in Ealing

Asian fast-food chain set to launch new outlet near Broadway Shopping Centre

The Asian fast food restaurant chain itsu is set to open in Ealing with a new branch planned for a site just outside the Broadway Shopping Centre.

The company has applied to Ealing Council for a new premises licence for the sale of alcohol until 11pm each evening and has been advertising jobs at the new outlet at 57 Broadway. This is the site formerly occupied by Eat restaurant.

An existing itsu outlet

The premises has ground and basement floors and the lease was advertised earlier this year at a rent of £128,000 per annum. In addition the rateable Value is £85,500.

Itsu was set up by the co-founder of Pret a Manger Julian Metcalfe with the first store opening in Chelsea in 1997. It now has over 70 branches mainly in the south east and university towns.

Their menu includes a range of Asian cuisines but there is an emphasis on sushi, noodles and healthy eating. The price point for a meal is above that for lunch in a café or sandwich shop but below that for a more formal restaurant.

The chain has attracted a significant number of regular customers at branches opened elsewhere particularly among younger people. There will be some concern of the continuing dominance of national chains in central Ealing and the continued squeezing out of independently owned businesses.

November 16, 2017