Michael Deane opens new site at the Outlet retail complex in County Down

Michael Deane's expansion of his restaurant empire continues apace with his signing on a new site at the Outlet retail complex in Banbridge, County Down.

The standalone glass unit within the £70million development will be "fabulous", said Deane, who admitted, "At first I didn't want to go in there but it's very upmarket with cobbled streets and good brands." The restaurant will be called Simply Deane's and will concentrate on the breakfast and lunch trade, although it may open "a couple of nights a week until 9 or 10", said Deane. It is expected to open on Easter Monday.

Joanne Skilton, Commercial Director at GML Estates, which is developing the Outlet, said she thought Deane's new restaurant would "complement the fashion mix" in the centre and would "become one of the jewels in [the group's] crown".

Deane's at Queens, close to the university in Belfast, opened in January, while Michelin-starred Deane's in Belfast reopened in February after a major refurbishment. The Outlet, which has attracted names such as Nike, Gap, Joseph and Marks & Spencer, is due to open at Easter. It is part of the wider Bridgewater Park scheme, which will also include a retail park and hotel.