Business is booming at new Preston eatery

A Preston entrepreneur is hoping to cook-up business success after opening a new city centre restaurant.

Theatre Street Bar and Grill is based off Fishergate and is the new arm to the already successful Moka Café Bar and Restaurant chain.

The new upmarket eatery, which specialises in seafood and steak, has created six full-time jobs and transformed the former Moka Express, which has been extended through to an adjacent property on Theatre Street.

Chris Maugham, head chef and owner at Theatre Street Bar and Grill, said: “With confidence in the economy on the up, people are starting to spend more on eating out again. Preston’s hospitality sector has gone strength-to-strength recently so it made good business sense to invest in the new restaurant.

“Theatre Street Bar and Grill only opened at the start of July but we’re already overwhelmed with the support received so far. Hopefully, business will stay strong as more investment comes into the city and who knows, we could even open up additional eateries in the future.”

The property team at North West commercial law firm Harrison Drury, which has offices in Winckley Square in Preston, advised the business owners on the legal aspects of the new business set-up, including the 10-year lease of the property and consent to knock through to the second unit.

“While it’s always a risk opening up a new business, I had peace of mind knowing that the new business and property lease were legally watertight, so I was able to focus on getting the new grill up-and-running,” Chris added.

Owen McKenna, a director at Harrison Drury, said: “There are many hospitality businesses in Preston that are really thriving thanks to investment in the city centre which is attracting people back into the city after hours.

“It’s always great to see entrepreneurs making their mark in the area. I wish Chris all the very best in his new business venture - I’m sure it will be a huge success.” The Moka Café Bar and Restaurant chain also has eateries on Fishergate, Guild Hall Street and within the Fishergate Centre in Preston.