DockGrill and Penelope’s Ice Cream owner, Carla Tomlinson is opening an American influenced eatery in the Pie Factory, MediaCityUK.
Penelope’s Kitchen (as it has been named) will open from 7am – 2.30pm (weekdays) and will offer a range of hearty cooked breakfasts, pancakes, omelettes and bagels through to Carla’s signature hearty burgers, mac and cheese, chilli, sandwiches, toasties and soup.
Stephen Wild, managing director for MediaCityUK said: “It is wonderful to see another independent retailer expanding and offering new concepts to our community. Carla opened DockGrill and Penelope’s Ice Cream earlier this year and quickly made her mark at MediaCityUK with her creative marketing, tasty burgers/ices and general enthusiasm for the place. We look forward to the opening of Penelope’s Kitchen and tasting her wonderful range of dishes”.
Taking excitedly about her new venture, Carla said: “When we started trading at Dock Grill we were welcomed with open arms. We loved the community feel and openness from our customers and workers at MediaCityUK, so when we were offered the opportunity to move into The Pie Factory, we jumped at the chance.
Our first task was to conduct market research and find out what people want – which we’ve found to be high quality locally sourced food, quick service, competitively priced and a great place to hang out’.
Continuing she said: ‘So, with the help of the Princes trust we came up with Penelope’s Kitchen, utilising a large space in The Pie Factory with room to eat amazing food made fresh everyday by our creative chefs, chat with your friends/colleagues, plug your laptop in, use our Wi-Fi and hang out in our sofa area, grab a book from our honesty shelf and relax. The space has a NYC feel, influenced from my years living over there, but everything has been locally sourced from independent Manchester businesses. I hope MediaCityUK folk love the space we have made just for them”.
Carla started her Penelope’s venture last year after she had been made redundant and been through a traumatic year looking after her young son who had been in hospital. Her goal was to be able to run a business that enabled her to work flexible hours and spend more time with her family.
Carla’s business has quickly gained a very loyal following and she has been trading very successfully since launch. She has been able to take on several members of staff, create employment opportunities, as well as supporting local businesses including bakers and ice cream makers.
News of Penelope’s Kitchen comes just after owners of Damson MediaCityUK, announced they were expanding their operation with the opening of a pub called Dock Yard (set to open at the end of October 2013).
Penelope’s Kitchen is scheduled to open in early October 2013.
For retail and leisure opportunities at MediaCityUK, please contact Lynn Haime: lynn.haime@mediacityuk.co.uk 0161 886 5300 or take a look at: http://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/space
Check out our Penelope’s Twitter for updates @penelopesmcr www.penelopesmcr.co.uk
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