INSIDE
Nicolas Roach
Paul Ainsworth
brings his 5 star
approach to the city
City College
Michelin star chef
+
Robin Hutson
on Southampton’s
future plans
www.investinsouthampton.co.uk
Investment opportunities in the south’s leading city
Issue four | March 2014
SOUTHAMPTON
MAGAZINE
PLUS
THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE
WATERMARK WESTQUAY
ON THE WATERFRONT
FROM THE GROUND UP
Southampton becomes a
top-class cultural destination
A mouth-watering experience
awaits the city
The latest on Southampton’s
major waterfront developments
Southampton’s latest
development round-up
4
14
22
INSIDE
Page 4
The art of the possible
Page 12
Interview with Robin Hutson
Page 14
A mouth watering experience
Page 18
Southampton in numbers
Page 20
Interview with Oliver Weeks
Page 22
A la carte Southampton
Page 26
On the waterfront
Page 32
Development directory
32
26
WELCOME…
to the latest edition of
Southampton Magazine – and
prepare to be inspired by the
sheer scale and number of
major developments coming
out of the ground.
PwC recently ranked Southampton as
the second highest English city for
good growth, the most improved of any
other city between 2012 and 2013 – and
fourth overall out of 39 UK cities.
High praise indeed – and just one look
at the skyline shows how that confidence
is manifesting itself, with towering
construction cranes and a tangible sense
that something is really happening.
Our focus in this edition is the demand
for more high quality restaurants, cafés
and bars to satisfy the appetite of the
seven million day-visits a year and the
growing number of people choosing to
live and work in the city.
We’ve got features on the major
developments – Grosvenor’s arts
complex, Hammerson’s Watermark
WestQuay, Allied Development’s Admirals
Quay, Crest Nicholson’s Centenary Quay,
Lucent and MSIL’s Royal Pier Waterfront
and Nicolas James Group’s Southampton
Harbour Hotel, as well as interviews with
major names in the hospitality industry
such as Robin Hutson and Nicolas Roach.
And there’s even a lip-smacking recipe
from Southampton-born Michelin star
chef Paul Ainsworth.
Designed by Southampton City Council’s design team. Editorial
content by Kate Thompson at Business South, advertising sales
managed by Leigh-Sara Timberlake at Business South.Print
production managed by Jellyfish Print Solutions Ltd. Photography
by Dan Wilson Photography and Anthony Burdett-Clark.
Front cover image: No Fit State Circus at Guildhall Square, photo
Anthony Burdett-Clark.
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Southampton Magazine 2014
VIP
THE ART OF
THE POSSIBLE
Marvel at a Monet, fraternise with Franz Ferdinand, wonder at the
West End hit War Horse – you can do all this and more
in Southampton’s buzzing Cultural Quarter.
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Southampton Magazine 2014
W
ith an award-winning
museum, a contemporary art
collection that is the envy of
most other cities, a premier
theatre, concert venue and outdoor
performance space, Southampton is
establishing itself as a top-class cultural
destination. Southampton is rapidly
becoming a place where people choose
to spend their leisure time.
Leisure currently accounts for seven
million day-visits a year in Southampton
and a total of more than one million visits
are made to the Mayflower Theatre, O2
Guildhall Southampton, SeaCity Museum
and Southampton City Art Gallery.
Those numbers are set to grow
considerably with the development of the
new arts complex – the missing piece in
the city’s cultural jigsaw.
With the opening of new restaurants,
cafés and bars in the Cultural Quarter, a
further one million visitors are expected
each year. This will stimulate a creative
energy throughout the new building, the
surrounding Cultural Quarter and adjacent
Grade II* listed central parks.
AN OUTSTANDING VISITOR
EXPERIENCE
Southampton’s new arts complex will be
a stunning visitor attraction at the heart
of the city’s thriving Cultural Quarter
comprising museums, galleries, theatres
and music venues.
Presenting a world-class mix of
contemporary art, performance and film,
the arts complex will be a magnet for
people across the city, region and beyond
with rich arts experiences on offer and a
unique creative ambience.
The arts complex will set the standard
for the range and quality of arts and
culture in the city, presenting world-class
art exhibitions, inspirational performances,
outstanding resources for film-makers, media artists and creative events.
This rich programme will be underpinned
by a truly outstanding visitor experience,
bringing audiences back time and again.
In Southampton we
have the potential
to be akin to the
South Bank…
The University of Southampton’s
internationally renowned John Hansard
Gallery is moving to the complex from
its current campus site and its Director,
Stephen Foster, is in no doubt about the
significance of the new development.
“The new arts complex is the final
piece in the jigsaw of Southampton’s
Cultural Quarter development. For the
John Hansard Gallery, this means bringing
world-class contemporary art to a wide
city centre audience within stunning new
facilities, with other great arts attractions
just a stone’s throw away and the benefit
of great cafés, restaurants and shops on
our doorstep.
“Relocating to the arts complex from
our current campus location will be truly
transformative,” he said.
City Eye, the organisation that
promotes film and video culture through
their own production work, education
and screening programmes, will also be
moving to the new arts complex.
Executive Director, Susan Beckett, is
an enthusiastic supporter of the project
and she believes the arts complex will
make Southampton a real destination of choice.
“On completion of the arts complex,
Southampton – which already has so
much to offer with its great music and
show venues, art galleries, cinemas and
museums (not to mention a series of
exciting festivals) – is set to become the
cultural destination in the South.
“The new programme of events and
activities which will take place in the
stunning building facing Southampton’s
iconic O2Guildhall, will offer visitors to the
city, those working here and residents,
the best in live performance, film and art.
“New jobs will be created for those
seeking to work in the arts but also in
catering, administration, technical and
customer service and, of course, the
wider rejuvenation of this area of the city
means it will be a great place to come to
work,” explained Susan.
Southampton’s new arts complex will
be a cultural and creative hub and the
catalyst for a new kind of social space
in the city. It will be a place that moves,
entertains and inspires people of all ages,
pairing local roots with global ambition.
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Southampton Magazine 2014
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Southampton Magazine 2014
SOUTHAMPTON’S SOUTH BANK
“When you look at London’s South Bank,
you see a string of enormously popular
attractions stretching from Tate Modern to
the Millennium Wheel.
“You’ll find street theatre, temporary
art and great places to eat and meet
friends – it is a real hub for art, culture and
tourist activities.
“In Southampton we have the
potential to be akin to the South Bank –
we will have fewer visitors than London
but we will have a higher quality offer.”
That’s the view of Simon Armstrong,
Project Director for Grosvenor
Developments, the company building
Southampton’s new arts complex.
Work is already underway on the new
130,000 sq ft scheme which will include
auditoria, studio and creative space,
a contemporary art gallery and media
facilities.
The retail offer will include cafés and
restaurants offering a global gourmet
experience.
“We are bringing a range of food and
beverage offers to the development. We
would like to have Asian food being sold
alongside a Mediterranean restaurant, a
high quality coffee bar, a gastro pub and
an Italian restaurant.
“We want an eclectic mix of cuisine that
is high quality and bespoke,” said Simon.
Kevin Marsh from Savills is managing
the retail lets and has been delighted with
the positive response so far.
“We have agreed terms on several of
the units and we have interest on others
which is very encouraging.
“We are under offer to a well known
coffee brand, a London-based restaurant
operator with a Scandinavian style café/
bar operation as well as a local business
with a Spanish tapas concept.
“It shows there is optimism that the
economic conditions are going to continue to improve.
“These units will be ready in 12
months for fit-out and so such an early
We were looking for
cities with good growth
potential. Southampton
is relatively close to
London and its position
on the south coast was
important in terms of
quality of lifestyle
commitment from operators really
demonstrates the strength of the location
and quality of the Grosvenor scheme.
“What we are seeing is evidence of
confidence in the market,” he said.
Grosvenor’s decision to come to
Southampton is significant.
Simon explained: “We were looking
for cities with good growth potential.
Southampton is close to London and its
position on the south coast is important in
terms of quality of lifestyle.
“We could see Southampton had the
strong potential to deliver a viable scheme.”
WHY IT PAYS TO BE CREATIVE
Enhancing the city’s cultural offer and
establishing an identified Cultural Quarter
are both important strands of a strategy to
encourage creative talent in the city and
attract inward investment.
An important existing feature of the
Cultural Quarter is the BBC regional
headquarters, housing the studios
for Radio Solent and local TV news
programmes such as South Today, Inside
Out and the Politics Show (South).
Quality of life is a key factor which
influences relocation decisions –
Southampton wants to attract more
organisations of the calibre of Lloyd’s
Register Group and Peer 1 to make their
home in the city.
Dominic Monkhouse, Managing Director
of Peer 1, agrees. He said: “Southampton
is proving itself as the central business hub
on the south coast. We secured a prime
location in the city and other businesses are
doing the same. Now is definitely the time
to invest in this buoyant market.
“We’re confident the city’s existing and
planned business, residential and leisure
offering will continue to attract more and
more people to Southampton which will
ensure our business continues to boom.“
SOUTHAMPTON’S
AWARD-WINNING
MUSEUM
SeaCity Museum tells the story
of the people of the city, their
fascinating lives and historic
connections with Titanic and the sea.
The current, thought provoking
show, Ship to Shore has works by
contemporary artists such as Tracey Emin, Tacita Dean and Susan Hiller.
Here’s what Jason Beck, News
Editor at Wave 105.2 FM had to
say about SeaCity Museum: “My
family spent an enjoyable few hours
learning about Southampton’s past
and its maritime connections. The
hands-on Titanic exhibits kept the
children amused while I was able to
reflect on the impact the disaster had
on the city.
“Attractions like this are vital
for giving potential visitors to
Southampton a reason to come to
the city and learn more about its rich
cultural heritage.”
AT A
GLANCE
Civic Trust Award – winner 2013
Architects Journal Retrofit Award –
shortlisted 2012
Institute of Structural Engineers
2012 – shortlisted
Solent People’s Design Award –
winner 2012
RIBA Awards 2013 – shortlisted
143,000 visitors – 20,000 more
than expected
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Southampton Magazine 2014
Southampton is already world-class in many
fields, from science to football. I want theatre to be
recognised in the same league, developing a culture
of excellence that builds on what the city already has.
Sam Hodges, Creative and Executive Director, Nuffield
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Southampton Magazine 2014
AT A
GLANCE
SOUTHAMPTON’S
NEW ARTS COMPLEX
130,000 sq ft scheme – auditoria,
studio, creation space,
contemporary art gallery,
media facilities
And with universities in South
Hampshire producing approximately 6,000
creative graduates a year, it is important
for Southampton to retain talent and gain a
reputation for creative flair in the city.
Oxford Innovation, the leading business
and innovation centre operator in the UK,
who run the successful Ocean Village
Innovation Centre, is looking at creating a
new facility in the Cultural Quarter.
This new development will be
focussed on providing a range
of commercial space to provide
accommodation for start-up and SME
companies operating within the digital and
creative industries.
Chris Allington, Managing Director
of Oxford Innovation said: “Creative
businesses are a crucial component of
today’s economy and companies operating
within sectors such as advertising,
architecture, design, film, photography,
and software design will really benefit from
innovation space within the Cultural Quarter.
“The digital and creative industries are
very strong in Southampton and we aim
to provide the perfect environment for
them to exploit their own creativity and
feed off the ‘vibe’ of the Cultural Quarter.
CITY LIVING
Alan Watt, Savills’ Residential Sales
Director, explained the apartments in
the arts complex scheme, which will
be known as Guildhall Apartments,
have been designed by award-winning
architects CZWG and clever use of space
and cutting edge design are their hallmark.
Commenting on the strength of the
Southampton property market, he said:
“Southampton is attractive to buyers as it
has fantastic rail and road links across the
South and to London.
“The New Forest is close by along with
a whole host of boating opportunities. We
think key schemes, such as Ocean Village
and the arts complex, will give renewed
confidence to purchasers that the market
is definitely improving.
“In Southampton as a whole there is a
Seven restaurants
38 flats
John Hansard Gallery,
University of Southampton
City Eye
large proportion of professionals living in
rented accommodation (in some areas
50 per cent of people are renters) and
having the ability to encourage these
people out onto the property ladder is key
and this has been demonstrated with the
Government’s Help to Buy Scheme.”
More students will be living close to the
Cultural Quarter bringing their joie de vivre
to the creative heart of the city.
Construction is well underway for
around 1,100 student accommodation
units for the University of Southampton,
On completion of
the arts complex,
Southampton… is set
to become THE cultural
destination in the South
with retail/café and gym facilities at
ground floor level at Mayflower Halls.
Caroline Court, Director of Student
Services at the University of Southampton,
said: “The University of Southampton is
committed to increasing the number of hall
places on offer to its students.
“This site with its excellent transport
links is ideal. It is altogether fitting that the
University returns to having a presence
in the city centre where it was originally
founded 150 years ago.”
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
The decision to bring the city’s Grade II
listed Guildhall under the O2 brand is a
significant endorsement for Southampton.
Everyone from Pink Floyd, David
Bowie and the Manic Street Preachers
has graced the famous stage over the
years along with comedians such as Paul
Merton and Rhod Gilbert.
O2 Guildhall Southampton now
joins the likes of O2 Academy Brixton,
O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, O2
Academy Bournemouth and O2 Apollo in
Manchester (owned and operated by Live Nation).
Just recently rising star John Newman
kicked off his second UK tour in
Southampton. A Jools Holland favourite,
he is widely tipped for greatness in 2014.
Mark Stevenson, Head of Sponsorship
and Priority at O2, was happy to explain
why such a major brand was keen to
come to Southampton.
“At O2 we know how much our
customers love music and we’re proud to be adding this iconic building to our O2 Academy portfolio, and to bring
benefits such as Priority Tickets to music
fans across the Southampton area,” he explained.
O2 Guildhall Southampton is owned by
Southampton City Council and operated
by Live Nation UK.
Paul Latham, COO for Live Nation
said it was a great example of partnership
working in Southampton.
“In this instance, we are combining
the heritage and civic pride of our partner
at Southampton City Council with the
vision and talent of our marketing partners
at O2, to deliver enhanced facilities and
engagement opportunities,” he enthused.
CREATIVE THINKING AT
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY
A hub of creativity, Southampton Solent
University has a pivotal role to play in the
vibrancy of the Cultural Quarter too.
Students from the university are
contributing to the hustle and bustle of
Guildhall Square – and the university itself is making sure it adds to the city’s culture.
Solent Showcase, the university’s
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Southampton Magazine 2014
contemporary art gallery, was the
first major addition to Southampton’s
emerging Cultural Quarter. The gallery
features visual art that encourages
engagement, discussion and participation
with the whole community.
Dramatic development proposals for
Southampton Solent University’s city
centre campus have also just been given
the go ahead.
A stunning new £30m building will
sit alongside the Sir John Everett Millais
building and will be linked to the rest of
the East Park Terrace site through an
atrium, opening up the campus for easier circulation.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore,
said: “In addition to the £20 million we
have already spent on enhancing our
facilities over the last five years, this
flexible, vibrant and dynamic new space
will further enrich the student experience
at Solent and transform the East Park
neighbourhood.”
MAYFLOWER THEATRE – A MAJOR
SUCCESS FOR SOUTHAMPTON
Threatened with closure in the 1970s and
proposals to turn it into a bingo hall, the
people of Southampton rose up to save
the Mayflower Theatre.
Their efforts and support for the third
largest theatre outside London have seen
it become a major success story for the
city with nearly half a million visitors now
coming through the door to enjoy worldclass entertainment each year.
The best of the West End shows play
at the theatre which boasts a beautiful art
deco interior and audiences travel from
10
a radius of 30 miles to enjoy pre-theatre
meals and drinks before taking in a show.
Michael Ockwell, Mayflower Theatre’s
Chief Executive, said: “There are many
Hippodromes, Empires and Theatre
Royals in the country but only one
Mayflower and I am sure we are all proud
It’s so important for us to
recognise the importance
of the city’s cultural offer.
It can make the difference
between a company
deciding to relocate to
Southampton or going
elsewhere
to have such a nationally recognised
identity here in Southampton.
“We have a really impressive
programme for 2014. In February we
welcomed the National Theatre production
of War Horse and direct from the West
End we have The Lion King from July until
September and Wicked in October.”
A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED
ART COLLECTION
Southampton City Art Gallery is
internationally renowned for its permanent
collection, featuring over 3,700 works of
art spanning eight centuries, which tell the
story of western art from the Renaissance
to the present day.
“Southampton City Art Gallery’s
important and unique collection is the
finest south of London, with outstanding
holdings of modern and contemporary
British art” confirms Ann Gallagher, Head
of Collections (British Art), Tate.
The core of the collection is twentieth
century and contemporary British art.
GUILDHALL SQUARE – MUCH MORE
THAN THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN
2014 marks a significant birthday for
the city of Southampton and one of its
leading theatres. Nuffield and the city of
Southampton will be marking their 50th
this summer and Nuffield will be hosting a
celebration like no other.
Looking at the highs and lows of
following one of the country’s greatest
football clubs, the Saints, they are
planning an event in the Guildhall Square –
and it looks like it will be much more than
a game of two halves...
Nuffield’s new Creative and
Executive Director Sam Hodges, said:
“Southampton is already world-class in
many fields, from science to football.
“I want theatre to be recognised in
the same league, developing a culture of
excellence that builds on what the city
already has.
“It’s so important for us to recognise
the importance of the city’s cultural offer.
It can make the difference between
a company deciding to relocate to
Southampton or going elsewhere.”
Guildhall Square has already played
host to some dazzling events. A beguiling
programme of events from Midsummer
Dreams with performers suspended
Southampton Magazine 2014
50m in the air to an awe inspiring fire
garden brought around 60,000 people to
Guildhall Square.
The open air performance space
hosted a giant royal wedding street party
that was televised as part of the BBC’s
national coverage.
And the O2 Guildhall Southampton
steps were the setting for a dramatic
enactment of the story of Christ’s death.
The Southampton Passion filled the
square to capacity and spilled over with an
audience of 8,000.
SO:Fest and Music In The City always
hit the right notes, with local bands and
musicians performing in the square.
On a sporting theme, the Sport Relief
Mile uses the square for its start and
finish and when the Olympic Torch Relay
came to Southampton, 3,000 took part in
sporting activities in Guildhall Square.
Claire Patten, Assistant Manager at
Turtle Bay, emphasised what a great
decision coming to Guildhall Square had
been for her company.
“Guildhall Square Southampton is
a perfect central location to welcome
residents and visitors to Turtle Bay whether to try our dining experience or
just passing through for a rum.
“We welcome the growth of
Southampton’s Cultural Quarter within
the heart of this key coastal city and
look forward to continuing to attract
people from near and far to try our great
food, cocktails, relaxed decor and great
atmosphere,” she said.
STOP PRESS...
The Queen’s Baton Relay is coming to
Southampton in June in the run up to the
Commonwealth Games which start in
Glasgow on 23 July.
A number of locations across the
city will be used to celebrate the
Commonwealth Games and promote
participation in sport – and the day will
Southampton has a huge
sporting tradition and
I know the public here
will support the English
athletes at the Games
close with a spectacular event in Guildhall Square. These are all part of the
‘Art At The Heart’ programme of activity
to animate the Cultural Quarter.
Commonwealth Games England
President Dame Kelly Holmes, said:
“Southampton has a huge sporting
tradition and I know that the public here
will support the English athletes at the
Games.”
SOUTHAMPTON’S PARKS – THE
CULTURAL QUARTER’S ‘GREEN ROOM’
The Cultural Quarter is surrounded by
greenery – not surprising when you
consider Southampton is officially the
greenest city on the south coast.
Southampton Central Parks have
recently been awarded the prestigious
Grade II* listed status on the English
Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of
special historic interest.
Isaac Watts, the author, educator,
philosopher and hymn writer is one of
Southampton’s most famous sons – so
it’s only fitting that his name should grace
one of the most attractive green spaces;
Watts Park.
A popular meeting point is Paul de
Monchaux’s sculpture ‘Enclosure’ – a four
metre-high stone contemporary sculpture
that frames four skyline landmarks in and
around the park.
AND THE GOOD NEWS IS... THE
CULTURAL INFLUENCE IS SPREADING
The Loft Ladder is an exciting new retail
concept at The Marlands Shopping Centre,
designed to help fledgling businesses,
small independent entrepreneurs and
creative individuals gain a foothold in the
dynamic world of retail.
Constructed with eye-catchingly artistic
flair, the large and flexible selling space
is capable of being configured to suit
the pocket of a youthful business, and
expanded if it takes off.
Tim Keeping, General Manager at The
Marlands, said: “Many creative people
are attracted to study at Southampton’s
universities by the city’s strong reputation
for commerce, research and innovation.
The Marlands’ location at the heart of the
city means that we are ideally placed to
exploit this wealth of entrepreneurial talent.
“The Loft Ladder provides an incubator
for new business ideas, or brands that
have only had internet outlets in the past,
giving them the opportunity to establish a
physical presence easily and to get a step
up the retail ladder.”
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Southampton Magazine 2014
‘‘
IN CONVERSATION
ROBIN HUTSON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HOME GROWN
HOTELS AND CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OF LIME WOOD GROUP
“SOUTHAMPTON
IS AT AN
INTERESTING
CROSS ROADS AT
THE MOMENT”
“Everyone knows it suffered very badly
during the Second World War and there
were some questionable buildings put up
in the aftermath.
“The city does have some lovely older
parts and the potential to have some
very sexy new parts – it requires quality
development and careful planning to
make the most of that potential,” said the
man who has defined ‘laidback luxury’
and is seen by many as the UK’s most inspired hotelier.
Robin Hutson is the moving force
behind the hotel brand The Pig. He was
the co-founder of the Hotel du Vin chain
and is now chairman of the Lime Wood
Group. He started his 35-year career
in hotels as a waiter at Claridges Hotel
and along the way has picked up many
plaudits including being named Hotelier of
the Year in 2003.
The Pig in the Wall – a bijoux outpost
of the wildly popular Pig in the Forest
– is proof of Hutson’s belief in the
potential for Southampton to develop its
visitor offering.
The 12-bedroom hotel offers a stylish
place to rest your head and Robin is
delighted by the success of the venture.
“Southampton is a slightly different
model for us. It doesn’t have a full
restaurant so it works as an outpost to the
Pig in the Forest and it has been a very
successful enterprise.
“The overall success of the brand with
the first two projects has given us the
confidence to do more. With Hotel du Vin
we had seven hotels before selling out 10
years later.
“With The Pig I think we will do five or
six and then see what happens. We have
12
a very personal and individual approach
and we want to retain that otherwise
there is a danger you can become
everything you set out not to be.
“I like small businesses. I’m not really a huge kind of business type of person – I like to know everybody who is working
for me,” he said.
Looking at the opportunities for
Southampton to develop, Robin sees the
waterfront as being key to the success of
the city in the coming years.
“Before being in Hampshire I was
living in Bermuda and it has struck me that
you could have something very interesting
going on with Southampton’s waterfront.
“ It needs to be really good quality and
most importantly, you don’t want to block
out the view of the ships,” he said.
And the Cultural Quarter with its
Creative Industry Innovation Centre
focusing on arts, craft and media providing space for 500 people to work,
will definitely take the city in the right
direction.
“If you have people working in the
creative industries, like TV production
companies, media start-ups and film
post-production projects, it will bring more
vitality and a completely different feel to
the city,” he said.
ABOUT ROBIN
Robin Hutson is Chief Executive of
Home Grown Hotels and Chairman
and Chief Executive of Lime Wood
Group. He launched the 26-bedroom
The Pig (in the Forest) in July 2011 and
The Pig (in the Wall), a 12-room B&B
in Southampton, in September 2012.
The Pig near Bath opens in March 2014
and The Pig (on the Beach) in Studland
Dorset is set to open spring 2014.
He co-founded Hotel du Vin with
Gerard Basset in 1994 and grew the brand
from a concept to a group of quirky hotels.
Southampton Magazine 2014
Southampton Magazine 2014
Watermark will deliver
a fabulous leisure focus
and restaurant offer
for those living in and
around Southampton
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Southampton Magazine 2014
VIP
VIP
A MOUTH
WATERING
EXPERIENCE
Exciting restaurant names such as Jamie’s, Wahaca,
Byron and Five Guys could be among the mouthwatering mix being served up as part of the new
Watermark WestQuay development.
T
hat’s the latest news coming
from Hammerson’s Head of
Speciality Leasing, Sarah Fox.
While she can’t be drawn on
specifics at this stage, she was delighted
to confirm the positive response they
have received so far.
“There is not a restaurant operator
that we have approached who doesn’t
see this as a fantastic opportunity.
“We are talking to London-based
restaurants who are keen to come out of
the capital and they are seriously looking
at Southampton,” explained Sarah.
Until now Southampton has struggled to attract the major restaurant
chains but Hammerson says all that is
set to change with the development of
Watermark WestQuay.
“Most cities have a quarter where you
will find restaurants but Southampton
doesn’t have that. It has been unable to
attract the big restaurant players because
there has been no obvious place to put
those restaurants.
“Watermark will deliver a fabulous
leisure focus and restaurant offer for
those living in and around Southampton,”
confirmed Sarah.
The first phase of Watermark
WestQuay will see a landmark cinema
building, up to 20 restaurants and
additional retail space, alongside newly
created public space in front of the city’s
medieval town walls.
Guy Wells, Development Manager
for Hammerson, explained the new
public space would help to really bring
Watermark WestQuay to life.
“We will be looking at having events
utilising the new public realm and we want
to make the new spaces attractive places
for flexible activity including markets and
outdoor music events,” said Guy.
The cinema operator will be signed
shortly and Hammerson is confident the
new leisure destination offering will place Southampton in the top tier for
cinema audiences.
“We fundamentally believe what we
are offering at Watermark WestQuay will
attract more people to Southampton and
put the city in the top five for the most
visited cinemas.
“Ensuring the development sits
sympathetically with the city’s medieval
town walls has been a key consideration
for Hammerson.”
“The town walls are a fantastic
backdrop for our scheme and we have
worked extensively with Southampton
City Council and English Heritage to
ensure the design and innovative layout
complements the walls.” Guy confirmed.
15
Southampton Magazine 2014
‘‘
IN CONVERSATION
STEVE HUGHES
MANAGING DIRECTOR
DELICIOUS DINING
DELICIOUS DESIGNS
ON SOUTHAMPTON’S
FUTURE
Steve Hughes – the man behind the
home grown success that is Delicious
Dining, tells Southampton Magazine
why he’s backing the City Centre Master Plan.
With 25 years under his belt running
some of Southampton’s most popular
eateries, Steve Hughes has a good
understanding of the city that has played
such an important part in his success.
Delicious Dining is now Hampshire’s
largest independent hospitality group,
with 14 bars, restaurants and hotels. It is a
diverse portfolio that includes the elegant
surroundings of the Grand Café, Ennios
– an Italian restaurant with boutique hotel
rooms near Town Quay, and Banana
Wharf the vibrant bar and restaurant by
the water.
I am keen to develop and
expand the brand – and
my eyes are always open
to new developments in
and around the city
Recalling how his working relationship
with Southampton started, Steve
explained how he turned his back on the
corporate world of sales and marketing to
run his first business in the city.
“My father had a lovely country house
hotel on the Isle of Wight and it has
always been my ambition to have the
same sort of place. But I’ve ended up
with something totally different.
“My first business in Southampton
was Simon’s Wine Bar in Bedford Place.
16
Initially I didn’t know anyone in the city
but through the wine bar I met a lot of
professional people with businesses
based around London Road.
“I learned a lot about Southampton
during my time at Simon’s Wine Bar and
the business really took off from there,”
explained Steve.
The group has grown organically and
Steve admitted his impetuous side often
comes into play.
“If the model is strong it will stand the
test of time. Not everything we have tried
has worked the first time – sometimes
we have to tweak things to give the
customer what they want as opposed to
trying to make them want what we offer.
“Our vision is to continue to grow by
maintaining the key principles of quality,
passion and innovation,” he clarified.
Steve is genuinely impressed by the
city’s Master Plan and the vision it depicts
for the city over the next 20 years or so.
And he is particularly interested in the
Cultural Quarter.
“With such a diverse offering within
the Delicious Dining Group I have to be
careful I’m not competing with myself.
“When I look at the Cultural Quarter I
see a different kind of clientele and I am
very interested in being part of it.
“Southampton has become my
home and it is a great place to be with
the Solent and the New Forest on the
doorstep. The Master Plan clearly shows
where the opportunities are and if all the
developments happen, it will certainly
make a major difference to the city,” he said.
Looking ahead Steve plans to build on
the success of his Banana Wharf brand
which currently operates in Ocean Village,
Port Hamble Marina and Poole Quay.
“On a nice summer’s day most
people enjoy eating and drinking while
overlooking the water so Banana Wharf
works very well.
“I am keen to develop and expand the
brand – and my eyes are always open
to new developments in and around the
city,” he added.
Southampton Magazine 2014
20 MINUTE DRIVE TIME
SOUTHAMPTON WAS GRANTED CITY
STATUS BY ROYAL CHARTER ON
24 FEBRUARY 1964 AND CELEBRATES
ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR
2m
40 MINUTE DRIVE TIME
239,400
3.5m
POPULATION OF
SOUTHAMPTON
60 MINUTE DRIVE TIME
SOUTHAMPTON
UNIVERSITY
IS RANKED
36,665 20TH 14TH
STUDENT POPULATION
IN THE COUNTRY
RANKING IN THE
VENUESCORE
DOMINANT CITY
CENTRE AND 19TH IN
THE TOP SHOPPING
DESTINATIONS
SOUTHAMPTON
IN NUMBERS
SOUTHAMPTON
CITY CENTRE
MASTER PLAN
7 MILLION
DAY VISITS A YEAR
TO SOUTHAMPTON
EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT
SOUTHAMPTON
IN ONE HANDY
PLACE!
OFFICES / WORKSPACE
110,000 SQ M
18
24,000 jobs longer term
7,000 jobs by 2026
IN THE CITY CENTRE
MASTER PLAN
£3 BILLION
INVESTMENT
BY 2026, UP TO 300,000 SQ M
LONGER TERM
RETAIL
100,000 SQ M
BY 2026, 150,000 SQ M
LONGER TERM
HOUSING
UP TO
5,000 UNITS
HOTEL
LEISURE / FOOD AND DRINK
UP TO 30,000 SQ M
UP TO 650
BED SPACES
Southampton Magazine 2014
1
GOOD GROWTH
CONFIRMED FOR
SOUTHAMPTON!
MOST
IMPROVED!
2ND
OF ANY OTHER
CITY BETWEEN
2012 AND 2013
HIGHEST RANKING
ENGLISH CITY FOR
GOOD GROWTH
UP 10
RANKIN
G
PLACES
!
4TH
OVERALL IN THE UK
OUT OF 39 CITIES
400+
SOUTHAMPTON
BOATSHOW ATTRACTS
250,000
111,000 VISITORS
+
651 EXHIBITORS
VISITS TO SEE THE GO! RHINOS TRAIL
58,000
32,000
PEOPLE VISITED
EVENTS IN
GUILDHALL SQUARE
ST MARY’S
STADIUM CAPACITY
MAJOR
DEVELOPMENTS
IN THE CITY
VOTED “BEST
UK DEPARTURE
PORT”
BY CRUISE
CRITIC
SOUTHAMPTON
IS EUROPE’S
BUSIEST CRUISE
PORT
CRUISE SHIP
VISITS IN 2014
1.5 MILLION
CRUISE VISITORS PER YEAR
BRINGING £1.5 MILLION TO
SOUTHAMPTON EACH YEAR
2 MILLION+
PASSENGERS WILL PASS
THROUGH SOUTHAMPTON
AIRPORT IN 2014
6 MILLION
JOURNEYS EVERY YEAR THROUGH
SOUTHAMPTON CENTRAL STATION
MAYFLOWER HALLS
CULTURAL QUARTER
SOUTHAMPTON CITY GATEWAY
LLOYD’S REGISTER GROUP/
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
FORMER EAST STREET SHOPPING CENTRE
ITCHEN/CHAPEL RIVERSIDE
CENTENARY QUAY
STATION QUARTER &
WESTERN GATEWAY
WATERMARK WESTQUAY
FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKET
ROYAL PIER WATERFRONT
PLATFORM FOR PROSPERITY
SOUTHAMPTON HARBOUR HOTEL AND SPA
ADMIRALS QUAY
71% UNDER
CONSTRUCTION
OR WITH
PLANNING
CONSENT
19
Southampton Magazine 2014
‘‘
IN CONVERSATION
OLIVER WEEKS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
IDEAL COLLECTION
AN IDEAL TIME
FOR GROWTH
At a time when five or six pubs
nationally have been closing every week,
Southampton’s Ideal Collection has
bucked the trend and doubled in size.
What started as a small group of
restaurants and pubs based in and around Southampton has grown to
include bars and eateries further into
Hampshire and beyond.
Ideal Collection now employs 170
people across its seven sites and boasts a
multi-million pound turnover.
Managing Director Oliver Weeks
explained they were ready to grow in
2008 when the recession hit.
“The timing just wasn’t right so we
held back on the expansion plans and
instead we did a lot of work on the
infrastructure of the company.
“We focused on training our staff and
we’ve seen the business grow as a result.
“When the time was right and the right
properties became available we were able
to act swiftly,” he said.
The brainchild of Matthew Boyle, Ideal
Collection was founded in 2002 and was
then made up of The White Star Tavern
– dining and rooms in Oxford Street, The
Bugle in Hamble and Cantina Mexican
restaurant in Bedford Place.
The group also operates The White
Horse at Otterbourne, No 5 Bridge Street
in Winchester, The Boat House Café at
Swanwick Marina and the Boat House
Café in Chichester.
Recently Matthew has set up The Ideal
Foundation to support local good causes
and they are backing an allotment project
that has the potential to grow into a really
positive focus for the business.
“We were very keen to give
something back to the city that has been
so good to us. Working with Southampton
Voluntary Service (SVS) and Two Saints
we are supporting a group of people who
are learning all about growing food by
getting involved in the allotment project.
“The next stage is for us to develop
a not for profit café using local produce
grown by the group with the aim of giving
them skills to pursue a career in catering,”
he said.
Looking ahead Oliver is keen for the
Ideal Collection to continue to grow in the
city and they are particularly interested
in some of the VIP projects identified in
Southampton’s City Centre Master Plan.
“Southampton has changed a great deal
in recent times. The number of students
has grown, there are more people living
in the city centre in the new housing and
apartments and the development of the
Cultural Quarter means more people are
wanting to spend time in the city.
“We are excited about the
opportunities. Going around the city, you
can see the cranes in the sky and you can
see change happening.
“If we can play a part in the development
of Guildhall Square, Watermark WestQuay
or Ocean Village, we will be there and we
are already involved in discussions.
“I’ve worked in Southampton for many
years and there is definitely an increased
energy in the city,” he said.
JOSH IS COOKING UP A
CAREER IN CATERING
Ensuring they have well-trained staff has
been at the heart of the Ideal Collection
success story. Josh Dunnings, 24,
explained how his passion for food has
been ignited since working for the group.
“When I left the army four or five
years ago I didn’t know what I wanted to
do. I did a bit of bar work and ended up
working in the kitchen at The Bugle pub
doing the washing-up and prepping veg.
“I was offered the chance to train to be a chef and if I’m honest I still just saw it as job.
“Two weeks later I’m training to be a
commis chef and I’ve fallen in love with
cooking. Group Development Chef Jim
Hayward has really helped me to develop
my skills and I’ve been encouraged and
supported all the way.
“I came to The White Star Tavern
because I view it as the best food-led
venue in Southampton’s city centre.
“I can’t see myself doing anything else
– I live and breathe cooking,” he said.
20
Southampton Magazine 2014
Southampton Magazine 2014
Southampton Magazine 2014
A LA CARTE
SOUTHAMPTON
Ensuring hotels and restaurants have the best trained staff to ensure
the success of their business is a primary focus
for City College Southampton.
T
he college has built a wellearned reputation for its culinary
expertise and some of the
UK’s major emerging names in
cuisine trained at the college.
City College Principal and CEO, Sarah
Stannard, said: “What City College is
good at, and focused on, is developing the
next generation of people for the sector
and ensuring they have the skills that
businesses are looking for.
“We place a great emphasis not just
on the technical skills required, but the
soft skills like teamwork and problem
solving that are just as important.”
Perhaps what sets City College apart from other colleges is the way
it tailors learning programmes around
individual students.
Oliver Weeks, Managing Director
at the Ideal Collection, stressed his
restaurant group prides itself on working
with local colleges including City College.
“We work closely with the local
colleges and we have really seen the
Student success rates
are classed as ‘excellent’.
Its latest success rate for
16-18 year olds on full
time Level 3 catering and
hospitality courses stands
at 87.7%, 5.7% higher
than the most recently
published national
average figures
benefits that come as a result of investing
in the training of our staff,” he said.
City College works with many major
employers and is one of the most
popular training providers in the area for
apprenticeships. Among the companies
it runs apprenticeship schemes with are
John Lewis, Jury’s Inn, Ideal Collection
and The Pig in the Forest.
Hannah O’Doherty, Operations
Manager at Southampton-based Quality
Finish Patisserie, is clear about the
benefits of apprenticeship study at City College.
“We hire all our apprentices through
City College. What sets the college apart
is that it’s not just willing but keen to listen
to the needs of businesses like ours and
adapt its courses to the ever-changing
landscape of the industry.
“For us hiring apprentices allows us
to create a new wave of driven young
23
Southampton Magazine 2014
COOKING
UP A STORM
These top chefs all trained at City College
SIMON ROGAN
This Michelin star chef is a former
student of City College. In 2013 he
famously knocked Heston Blumenthal’s
restaurant The Fat Duck off the top
spot in The Good Food Guide’s annual
top 50 ranking. Simon, originally from
Lordswood, runs the award-winning
two-Michelin-starred L’Enclume
restaurant in the Lake District. Simon
is to take the helm at Claridges’ new
restaurant opening in the spring of 2014.
MARK TILLING
UK Chocolate Master 2006 - 2010. He runs Squires Kitchen in Winchester.
PAUL AINSWORTH
Born in Southampton in 1979, Paul
studied catering and hospitality at
Southampton City College before
following the lights to London’s
restaurant trade. From 1998, he spent
two years with Gary Rhodes at Rhodes
in the Square, and then three years
with Gordon Ramsay working at Royal
Hospital Road.
From there, Paul moved to the original Petrus site to work for Marcus
Wareing for three years before finishing
his time in London at the Berkeley Hotel
with Marcus.
Paul opened the popular restaurant
Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 in Padstow, developing an ambitious menu
and in 2010 he opened Rojano’s in the
Square with his business partner, friend
and mentor.
Number 6 made the Good Food
Guide’s list of top 50 restaurants in the
UK and in 2012 the restaurant was
awarded its first Michelin star. In the
National Restaurant Awards 2012,
Number 6 was voted number 36 out
of 100 – and finally they appeared at
number 50 in The Sunday Times’ list of
Britain’s top 100 restaurants for 2012.
employees who are trained in the
‘Quality Finish’ way and able to lead the
company forward far into the future.
“One of our former apprentices has
worked his way up to head pastry chef
and we know he has a long future ahead of him at our company,” explained Hannah.
Almost all 16-19 year olds on full time
catering and hospitality courses at City
College work at local pubs, restaurants
and hotels. City College strongly
encourages students to get experience
in the community and many, who start
off in work placements or part-time work
with local businesses, end up working
for them full-time once they have
completed their studies.
With so many high quality
employment opportunities in
Southampton, the overwhelming
majority of students stay in the city after
their studies. Most go on to work in
local restaurants, hotels and pubs, while
some choose to progress their studies at
university or higher education (HE) level
before going into full-time employment.
“The more businesses and
education can work together, the better
the results for all of the businesses, our
students and the city’s economy,” said
Sarah Stannard.
Southampton is packed full
of catering and hospitality
talent, not just in terms of
chefs and bakers but also
front of house staff and
managers who drive the
industry forward. Masterchef
winner Shelina Permaloo and
number one sommelier in the
world, Gerard Basset OBE,
owner of Hotel TerraVina are
just a few examples
City College Principal and CEO, Sarah Stannard
ASPIRE
The college has recently benefitted
from a £48m campus redevelopment
programme, which includes commercial
kitchens fitted with the latest
equipment to reflect the workplace,
Aspire Restaurant and a fully functioning
bar and café.
Students work with the paying public
in these facilities every day, gaining
valuable ‘real life’ experience.
Aspire Restaurant seats up to 50
customers for table d’hôte dining and
caters for all types of functions from
Christmas parties to business lunches.
The students benefit from working in a real restaurant environment for these sessions.
‘‘
Southampton Magazine 2014
SOUTHAMPTON
PLAYED A MASSIVE
PART IN MY LIFE
Michelin star chef Paul
Ainsworth at Number 6
Padstow is in no doubt
about the significant role
City College Southampton
has played in his success.
“I grew up in a B&B that my mum and
dad owned in Bitterne Park and from an
early age I worked there helping out.
“As a teenager I had lots of different
jobs but when I was offered a job at the
Star Hotel in the High Street, things really
started to fall into place. I continued
to work at the Star when I was at City
College doing my catering qualifications
and it was fortunate that my lecturer was
friends with the head chef.
“While others might have thought I
was being lazy, when I turned up a bit
late to college, my lecturer knew I had
been doing breakfasts at the hotel and
he turned a blind eye because he knew
I was gaining great experience.
“It was Martin Nash, another lecturer
who I really admired; he played such
a key role. He was godfather to Gary
Rhodes’ two children and had a really
close friendship with him.
“I had just won the award for Student
Chef of the Year, when Martin received a
call from Gary saying he would like two
or three students to go up to London and
work in his restaurant in Pimlico.
“I jumped at the chance and I will
never forget how Gary Rhodes put me
up in the hotel where the restaurant
was for three or four months until I
saved enough to get a place.
“City College played a massive part
in my life – it was so much more than
somewhere I learned to use a knife. It
opened so many doors and had a huge
part to play in where I am today.”
RHUBARB
BREAKFAST
A special recipe
for Southampton
Magazine readers
from Paul Ainsworth
“This reminds me of growing up in Southampton because of all the rhubarb that
mum and dad used to grow in the garden next to the rabbit hutch. These massive
stalks would be transformed into crumbles that we’d serve to the guests and
we’d tuck into whatever was left over. Mum always added ginger and thyme to
the rhubarb, which is something I always do when we have it on the menu in the
restaurant. It’s called rhubarb breakfast as an homage to the main meal talked about
in the Ainsworth B&B – those breakfasts were legendary!”
RHUBARB JELLY
800g rhubarb
50g dessert wine
1 vanilla pod
5g fresh, peeled ginger
100g icing sugar
1 sprig thyme
3 gelatine leaves, soaked for five minutes
Put the rhubarb, dessert wine, icing sugar, vanilla pod, ginger and thyme into a
bowl and heat over a saucepan of simmering water. Let this gently cook until you
have a clear, intense, fresh tasting rhubarb soup. If the contents get too hot, it
will go cloudy so ensure it stays at a consistent temperature. Pass this mixture
through a muslin. Stir the gelatine through the mixture and when it is cool, pour
the contents into a rectangular Tupperware tub and leave to set in the fridge.
SET VANILLA YOGHURT
300g milk
250g sugar
300g double cream
4 gelatine leaves, soaked for five minutes
2 vanilla pods and seeds 1kg natural/Greek yoghurt
Combine all of the ingredients apart from the gelatine in a pan. Heat the mixture
until it has nearly come to the boil. Take the pan off the heat and add the gelatine.
When the mixture has cooled slightly, pass the mixture through the yoghurt. Pour
the mixture into a separate rectangular Tupperware tub.
TO SERVE
200g rhubarb
100g granola
Sorrel leaves
Using a hot knife, cut the rhubarb jelly into cubes and arrange on a plate. With a
hot spoon, create a quenelle by shaping the set yoghurt with your spoon. Place
the yoghurt on the plate around the rhubarb jelly. Place the beautifully sweet
rhubarb simply on the plate in between the yoghurt and jelly. Pipe the rhubarb
puree in between the other elements. Lastly, scatter over clusters of crunchy
granola for texture and sorrel leaves.
25
Southampton Magazine 2014
VIP
Artist’s impression of Royal Pier Waterfront.
Southampton Magazine 2014
ON THE
WATERFRONT
No other city in the UK has quite so much to offer when it
comes to fulfilling the potential of its waterfront setting.
W
here else can you watch
the comings and goings of
the glamorous cruise liners
and marvel at the sheer
scale of the container ships bringing
goods to the UK from the Far East.
Recognised as Europe’s busiest
cruise port and voted ‘Best UK Departure
Port’ by Cruise Critic, each cruise ship
turn around is estimated to bring £1.5m
to Southampton each year.
Up to 1.5m cruise visitors a year pass
through Southampton and that figure
is set to rise considerably with P&O’s
Britannia, the biggest cruise ship ever
built for the UK cruise market.
The £500m ship will carry 3,600
passengers and will bring a thoroughly
modern feel to British-style cruising from
Southampton from March 2015.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas
will set sail on her maiden voyage from
Southampton to New York in November
and Anthem of the Seas will also be
operating from the port in spring 2015,
bringing 4,100 passengers to the city.
For some time Southampton has
been in the frustrating position of sitting
on one of the most fascinating stretches
of water in the world but with only
limited public access to the waterfront.
Now all that is set to change... Not
one, not two but three major waterfront
developments are happening in the city
– and yet more is set to unfold on the
waterfront in the coming years.
From the ambitious plans for Royal
Pier Waterfront to the finishing touches
that will allow Ocean Village to fulfil its
potential as well as the opportunities
for restaurants and cafés in the new
Centenary Quay in Woolston – there
has never been a better time to
consider opening a new business on
Southampton’s waterfront.
ROYAL PIER WATERFRONT
The vision to create a world-class
waterfront at Royal Pier has moved
one step closer with the signing of the
conditional development agreement in
February 2014.
Morgan Sindall Investments Limited
(MSIL) and funders Lucent Group
(Lucent) have signed the agreement
with land owners, Southampton City
Council, Associated British Ports (ABP)
and The Crown Estate to undertake the
regeneration of the Royal Pier.
MSIL is the investment division of
construction and regeneration group
Morgan Sindall Group Plc. Lucent
is a strategic land development and
investment company specialising in
funding regeneration throughout the UK
with extensive experience in real estate
acquisition, planning, development,
banking, project management and
sustainability.
Speaking exclusively to Southampton
Magazine, Charles Flynn, founder and
CEO of Lucent, was happy to explain
why his company wants to work with
MSIL to fund and help develop the Royal
Pier Waterfront.
“We share a vision with the
council, ABP and The Crown Estate of
creating one of the finest waterfront
27
Southampton Magazine 2014
developments in Europe – and a jewel in
the Southampton crown.
“Our inspiration has come from some
of the world’s most exciting and vibrant
waterside cities including Amsterdam, Cape
Town, San Francisco and Copenhagen.
“Southampton has a long maritime
heritage, however opportunities for public
access to the waterfront are limited.
Through the development, we will
reconnect the city to the waterfront”, Mr Flynn enthused.
“For the people of Southampton, the
development will deliver an improved and
extended Mayflower Park, including an
enhanced and permanent site for the PSP
Southampton International Boat Show;
a larger public area along the waterfront
with bars, restaurants and other facilities;
and improvements to Town Quay Road.”
The development will also provide
Southampton and Hampshire with a
step-change in the economy, with an
estimated 3,500 construction jobs and
6,200 permanent jobs, and improvements
to both port operations and ferry services.
Kevin George, Red Funnel CEO
commented: “It’s gratifying to see that
Southampton is about to realise the
development potential of its waterfront
as a place to live, work and play. For
Red Funnel’s 3.2 million customers, the
move from Royal Pier to purpose built
facilities in the Eastern Docks will improve
accessibility and provide much needed
space to cope with growing demand from
visitors to the Isle of Wight.”
the PSP Southampton International Boat
Show, Howard Pridding, Chief Executive of
the British Marine Federation, said: “The
PSP Southampton Boat Show is a success
story in the world’s boat show calendar,
ranking in the top 10 marine exhibitions
globally and we are delighted that it is a
key international event for the city.
“It is our aim to ensure that this success
is built on each year and as such we are
THE TIMING IS RIGHT
CENTENARY QUAY
“There are a number of additional factors
that contribute to our confidence in
delivering. The timing is right – the project
was conceived in the depths of one of our
most severe recessions since the war and
we expect to benefit from rising values
over the development period.
Commenting on the new home for
Across the Itchen River at Centenary
Quay, Debbie Aplin, Managing Director
at Crest Nicholson, is bubbling with
excitement at the opportunity for new
restaurants and cafés.
Centenary Quay nestles by Itchen Bridge
and offers dramatic views over the city.
“We think what we have to offer with
28
We welcome the proposed
development and are
confident of the positive
impact it will offer the Show
and therefore the city
pleased to have been working with the
city council and the appointed developers
on the waterfront development project to
shape the design brief.
“It will give the show a sustainability
for the future to ensure its success and
the important contribution it makes to the
region’s marine industry with jobs, tourism
spend and investment.”
Royal Pier Waterfront will include, 700
homes; a variety of restaurants, cafés
and bars; a landmark 4/5 star hotel and a
smaller boutique hotel; waterfront offices;
specialist shops with a nautical theme;
potentially a casino; and parking spaces.
our Piazza Meridian Circus, the waterfront
and a walkway that takes you from
Centenary Quay right the way along to a
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
will be quite unique.
“And the views, especially at night
with the Itchen Bridge lit up will be really
special – like when you are in Battersea
in London looking over the Thames to
Chelsea,” she enthused.
There will be a real family feel in
Centenary Quay and Debbie is keen to
see good quality restaurants coming
across the river.
“We are looking for something that is
family orientated and good quality like a
Pizza Express or an independent familyrun Italian or Greek restaurant.
“It is really important that the
restaurants we bring to Centenary Quay
work well with the offer on Woolston high
street – we don’t want to be competing,
we want to create a continuous offer.”
As part of the mix, Debbie is really
keen to see water taxis plying their trade
from the city centre to Woolston.
“The water taxis on Bristol’s
Harbourside are a fantastic asset for the
city – and we would like to see something
similar. It has to be a commercial entity, we
are pushing hard for it to happen and we
will assist where we can,” Debbie added.
CHAPEL RIVERSIDE
Across the water from Centenary Quay,
Chapel Riverside provides a unique
opportunity for the community to connect
to the wider river landscape.
The site forms part of Southampton’s
City Centre Master Plan and is a key area
for future economic growth in the city.
The vision is immense, with a focus on
housing, leisure, recreational and marine
employers’ uses. The development will kickstart wider development of an entirely new,
vibrant and exciting city neighbourhood and
provide a welcome gateway to the city.
Southampton Magazine 2014
ADMIRALS
QUAY
A DEVELOPMENT
WITH A VIEW
At Ocean Village Admirals Quay
development is rapidly taking shape.
Since the show apartments
officially opened in mid February,
Savills have been kept very busy
reserving over 50 apartments in
the three weeks following launch.
Work is also underway to bring top
restaurants and cafés to the marina.
The scheme is backed by
Sir Charles Dunstone, founding
shareholder in Allied Developments,
and the development will deliver
the tallest residential tower in
Southampton.
Allied Developments Director
Peter Morton said: “Admirals Quay
is an important development for
Southampton and Ocean Village in particular.
“Finally it will fulfil its potential
and with new cafes and restaurants
for everyone to enjoy, waterside
living will be an important part of
what the city has to offer,” he said.
Both Admirals Quay and the
new five star Southampton Harbour
Hotel are set to bring more maritime
events to the waterfront putting
Ocean Village back on the city map
and linking well with the Royal Pier
Waterfront development.
Peter added: “It has been a
pleasure working with Southampton
City Council on this landmark project,
and our contractors are doing a
wonderful job and keeping us on
track for completion at the end of
this year.”
29
Southampton Magazine 2014
‘‘
IN CONVERSATION
NICOLAS ROACH
CHAIRMAN
NICOLAS JAMES GROUP
OCEAN VILLAGE –
FULFILLING ITS
POTENTIAL
Major new developments at Ocean
Village are set to make it a destination of
choice for city-dwellers and visitors alike.
Exciting plans for a 5 star hotel are
set to come to life soon. Nicolas Roach,
the Chairman of the operator and
developer Nicolas James Group,
revealed they will start on site this
summer, constructing an 85-bed hotel
and luxury apartments complex – a total
investment of £33m.
The hotel will become part of the
group’s Harbour Hotels and will be called
The Southampton Harbour Hotel and it
will have a rooftop version of The Jetty,
the award-winning restaurant run by the
group’s top Michelin chef, Alex Aitken.
A graduate of the University of
Southampton, Nicolas explained the city
(and particularly Ocean Village) has a fond
place in his heart.
“I started my career in Ocean Village at
PwC, with an office overlooking the site
where the Southampton Harbour Hotel is
going to sit.
“Back then it was frustrating being
there because it was a great marina but it
had no life or vitality.
“Ever since my days of working in
Ocean Village 20 years ago, I have hoped
the city would have a top end hotel
The Jetty restaurant at Christchurch Harbour Hotel
30
product complete with a world class
spa, top quality gym and the city’s tallest
restaurant and that is what we are going
to do,” confided Nicolas.
The Nicolas James Group has made
clear its ambitions for the hotel side of
its business by welcoming Hotel du Vin’s
Brand Director, Mike Warren, as their new
Managing Director.
“His brief is to expand the hotel group
and enhance a strong food and beverageled product,” explained Nicolas.
As well as the hotel, 92 apartments
will also be built. A proportion will be
sold and the rest retained as serviced
apartments and lets.
“As part of that complex we have
firm agreements for restaurants and an
upmarket supermarket store,” added
Nicolas.
The aim of the Harbour Hotel Group
is to create the 10 best coastal hotels in
the country.
“We have just opened a flagship
property in Salcombe in Devon and we
are continuing to invest across the group
from Christchurch Harbour Hotel to St
Ives Harbour Hotel”.
“The Southampton hotel will be
managed and run by our brand, there will
be 30 sq m rooms and a number of suites
to provide the city with a really top end
hotel product.
“The hotel will be shaped like a ship.
I am a keen sailor and I wanted to place
something relevant and a flagship in
Ocean Village.
“We love creating development
buildings and bringing in experts, like Alex Aitken and Mike Warren, to make
the most of what I’ve built,” confided Nicolas.
Southampton Magazine 2014
DIRECTORY
DEVELOPMENTS
Construction cranes can be seen across Southampton’s skyline as the number of developments
becoming a reality continues to grow. Millions of pounds are being invested in the city’s
infrastructure and new commercial developments are truly transforming Southampton.
Register at www.investinsouthampton.co.uk for up-to-date development news.
ADMIRALS QUAY, OCEAN VILLAGE
Construction of the landmark development is well underway with
completions available during 2014 / 15.
The £74m scheme will include Southampton’s tallest residential building at
26 storeys, along with two additional residential buildings.
The scheme will provide 299 apartments and a landscaped terrace
incorporating up to eight new bars and restaurants.
Developer: Allied Developments Ltd
ARTS COMPLEX, CULTURAL QUARTER
Construction of the 130,000 sq ft arts complex, which incorporates 38
apartments and seven retail / restaurant units began in November 2013.
The retail / restaurant and residential phase of the scheme is scheduled to
open in spring 2015 and the arts complex in 2016.
The arts complex will incorporate auditoria, studio and creation space, a
contemporary art gallery and media facilities with tenants John Hansard Gallery
(University of Southampton) and City Eye.
Developer: Grosvenor Developments Ltd
CENTENARY QUAY, WOOLSTON
The £500m waterfront development forms an integral part of the rejuvenation
along the riverside in Woolston. Phase 3 of the scheme is underway and will
include 329 apartments along with a Morrisons supermarket.
A public plaza will incorporate cafés and restaurants and will create a
waterfront leisure area with first class public realm facilities.
Developer: Crest Nicholson
FORMER EAST STREET SHOPPING CENTRE
Demolition of the former East Street Shopping Centre is underway and
construction of a new 60,000 sq ft Morrisons food store is due for completion
in spring 2015.
The £30m scheme will re-establish a strong pedestrian link between St Mary’s and the city centre.
Developer: Arcadian Estates Ltd
31
DIRECTORY
Register at www.investinsouthampton.co.uk for up-to-date development news.
FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKET
VIP
This site provides an opportunity to create new homes and businesses
that reflect and respect the Old Town while bringing activity, interest and
vitality to this part of the city centre.
Construction started in November 2013 on the first new development
within the market district. This £5m housing scheme comprises 44 homes
along with ground floor retail / restaurant uses.
Developer: Raglan Housing
ITCHEN/CHAPEL RIVERSIDE
VIP
Chapel Riverside provides a waterfront development opportunity to expand
the city’s offer to the marine sector and provide high quality new homes.
Southampton City Council’s key objectives for the site are to re-connect the city
centre with the River Itchen and to kick-start the wider regeneration of this area. The site has been marketed and bids are being assessed.
LLOYD’S REGISTER GROUP/UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Due for completion in 2014, the £120m development at the University of
Southampton’s Boldrewood site will house the new Southampton Marine
and Maritime Institute.
The development represents the largest HE/private sector collaboration in the
UK and incorporates an impressive range of university research facilities, including
one of the South’s largest indoor towing tanks an anechoic wind tunnel.
MAYFLOWER HALLS
The University of Southampton’s new city centre student accommodation
will be ready for occupation at the beginning of the 2014 / 15 academic year.
The university will operate and manage the 1,100 new bedrooms in a
development of three towers up to 16 stories, with retail / café and gym
facilities at ground floor level.
Developer: Osborne
PLATFORM FOR PROSPERITY
Construction is underway to create a new section of dual carriageway along
the full length of Platform Road and Town Quay linking the waterfront and
port to the M271.
The main works to widen Platform Road will be completed in summer 2014
and works along Queen’s Terrace and Town Quay in October 2014.
32
Southampton Magazine 2014
ROYAL PIER WATERFRONT
VIP
The vision to create a world-class waterfront at Royal Pier has moved one
step closer with the signing of the conditional development agreement in
February 2014.
Waterfront restaurants, leisure attractions, apartments, hotels, office
accommodation and a permanent home for the PSP Southampton International
Boatshow will reconnect the Old Town with Southampton Water.
Developers: Lucent Group and Morgan Sindall Investments Limited
VIP
Work to upgrade the north side of the station to improve the public realm to
the station forecourt and interchange with the bus network and provide an
amphitheatre and artwork installation is due for completion in October 2014.
Major development opportunities have been identified around the station and
principally on the south side based around a remodelling of the highway.
This will be a substantial scheme centred around a new station square to
include: a station hotel, serviced office accommodation, retail units, new homes
and a boulevard link to John Lewis and WestQuay Shopping Centre.
Balfour Beatty
STATION QUARTER & WESTERN GATEWAY
SOUTHAMPTON CITY GATEWAY
Providing 364 student study / bedrooms for the University of
Southampton, the scheme is on track for occupation at the start of the
2014/15 academic year.
The 15-storey tower with two adjoining six-storey wings will include a
medical centre, Lloyds pharmacy and four retail units at ground floor level.
Developer: Bouygyes UK
SOUTHAMPTON HARBOUR HOTEL & SPA, OCEAN VILLAGE
Nicolas James Group, owner of Harbour Hotels will start construction of a
luxury hotel and spa and 82 waterfront apartments in summer 2014.
The hotel will include 76 bedrooms, restaurant and champagne roof terrace
along with function rooms. Adjacent to the hotel, a new arcade at the front of
the marina will provide retail and restaurant units.
Developer: Nicolas James Group
WATERMARK WESTQUAY
VIP
The vision for Watermark WestQuay is to transform the former Pirelli
factory site into one of the most exciting and attractive new leisure led
developments in the UK.
The first phase of development will include retail units, restaurants and a
luxury cinema alongside a public plaza.
The later second phase has the potential to include a residential tower, a
hotel, flexible office space, restaurants and additional public space.
Developer: Hammerson
33
CONTACTS
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to be part of Southampton’s success story, discover more about our ambitions
and find out more about the opportunities available, please get in touch, the team are looking
forward to speaking to you.
OCCUPIER OPPORTUNITIES
Admirals Quay
Briant Champion Long
Stuart Kearney
0207 434 7107
[email protected]
Centenary Quay
Crest Nicholson Regeneration
Adam Birch
01932 580540
[email protected]
Itchen/Chapel Riverside
Southampton City Council
Alastair Dobson
023 8091 7517
[email protected]
Cultural Quarter
Grosvenor
Dan Symonds
07827 831 913
[email protected]
Savills
Kevin Marsh
07968 550 369
[email protected]
CBRE
David Muslin
07766 733 718
[email protected]
Royal Pier Waterfront
Lucent Group
Ernie Battey, Director
[email protected]
Charles Forsyth, Communications Director
[email protected]
34
The Southampton Harbour Hotel
Savills
Kevin Marsh
07968 550 369
[email protected]
Watermark WestQuay
Bruce Gillingham Pollard
Ed Corrigan
0203 5515604
[email protected]
ART, ENTERTAINMENT
VENUES AND RESTAURANTS
O2 Guildhall Southampton
www.livenation.co.uk
City Eye
[email protected]
www.city-eye.co.uk
Nuffield Southampton
www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk
SeaCity Museum
www.seacitymuseum.co.uk
Southampton City Art Gallery
www.southampton.gov.uk
The Mayflower Theatre
www.mayflower.org.uk
John Hansard Gallery
[email protected]
www.hansardgallery.org.uk
Aspire Restaurant
www.aspirerestaurant.co.uk
Delicious Dining
[email protected]
www.deliciousdining.co.uk
Ideal Collection
www.idealcollection.co.uk
The Pig in the Wall
www.thepighotel.com
Turtle Bay Southampton
www.turtlebay.co.uk
City College Southampton
Karin Gibbs
023 8057 7224
[email protected]
Oxford Innovation Ltd
01865 261480
[email protected]
www.oxin-centres.co.uk
Southampton Solent University
023 8031 9000
[email protected]
www.solent.ac.uk
The Loft Ladder
The Marlands Shopping Centre
Claire Rodgers
023 8082 1851
[email protected]
Quality Finish Patisserie
Hannah O’Doherty
www.qualityfinish.co.uk
Register at
www.investinsouthampton.co.uk
for up-to-date development news
artist impressions
“We share a vision with the council, ABP and The
Crown Estate of creating one of the finest waterfront
developments in Europe – and a jewel in the
Southampton crown.”
Proud to deliver Royal Pier Waterfront Southampton