Hospitality group set to replace Jamie Oliver’s Union Street restaurant

11/02/2019
Allan Henderson
Allan Henderson

Independent hospitality operators, The McGinty’s Group has strengthened its portfolio with the addition of one of the city’s most iconic buildings, part of the former Esslemont and Macintosh (E&Ms) department store.

The McGinty’s Group which operates six pubs, restaurants and hotels in Aberdeen including McGinty’s Meal An’ Ale, The Stag, No.10 Bar & Restaurant, The Ferryhill House Hotel, The Fourmile and The Silver Darling, will occupy the famous site with plans to redevelop the venue with a £500,000 refurbishment.

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The listed building which previously housed Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Italian restaurant after the closure of E&Ms in 2007, has been vacant since Jamie Oliver closed the Italian in 2017.

The McGinty’s Group will occupy the ground and first floors of no.38 Union Street of the old E&Ms department store, with plans to create a stylish bar & restaurant on the ground floor with a pizzeria planned for the first floor. The group expects to create around 70 jobs for the city which will increase the group’s workforce to 230.

Allan Henderson, Director of The McGinty’s Group, said: “E&Ms is an Aberdeen institution and a landmark building that was calling out for some local love. As a group, we have a passion for regenerating iconic venues and transforming them into thriving outlets so this project fits perfectly with our company objectives and enhances our growing portfolio.

Allan, continued: “Following the significant investment the Aberdeen City Council have made firstly with the redevelopment of Broad Street and latterly the building of Marischal Square, we have been impressed with the transformation of this part of the city centre and The McGinty’s Group are keen to bring a high quality local offering to the area.”

Alan Aitken, Operations Director of The McGinty’s Group, added: “As an independent business, we are very excited to develop one of the city’s most recognised buildings. The people of Aberdeen have fond memories of this site and we are looking forward to reviving it with a high quality and stylish transformation that we hope will help to continue the regeneration of this area of Union Street, encourage footfall and create employment opportunities in the heart of the city centre.”

Adrian Watson, CEO of Aberdeen Inspired, commented: “It is fantastic to see this unique building being occupied by a growing local business. Aberdeen Inspired has worked over the past few years to help improve the city centre. We all understand the current challenges to the ‘High Street’ and the need for us to work together to deliver on our Masterplan aspirations. To a great extent, this is predicated on business confidence and this significant investment from a local operator is a great example and a real boost to our city centre.”

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