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Restaurateur invests £500k to launch new Middlesbrough eatery

Chef Tarek Thoma, who has famously cooked for George Bush and Tony Blair, is investing £500k to launch a new restaurant in Middlesbrough, bringing 35 new jobs to the region.

Oven, which markets itself as offering Michelin star-style food at affordable prices, will serve contemporary French and English cuisine from Central Point in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, in October.

Tarek, who has worked at Michelin-starred restaurants including the L’Escargot in London and Chapter One in Kent, said: “The concept behind Oven is to offer Michelin star-style food at affordable prices.

“The restaurant’s chefs all will have been trained by professional cooks, who boast a Michelin star rating.”

He added: “The plan is for Oven in Middlesbrough to be the flagship restaurant in a series of establishments that we plan to roll out across the country.”

Tarek’s decision to open Oven at Central Point marks a major milestone for the property, which is now fully let just six month after its redevelopment by Linthorpe Developments was completed.

Fitting out of the retail space at the former Midland House building is underway and the restaurant will have more than 50 free secure car parking spaces with valet parking available at the weekend.

Linthorpe Developments is owned by Geoff Hogg, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the property sector and during this time, he has amassed a strong mixed portfolio of retail, office and residential schemes, totalling an investment of £15m, across the North East.

Geoff, who was so impressed with the plans for Oven that he decided to invest in the business, said: “Tarek’s decision to locate Oven at Central Point demonstrates that we have provided much-needed and high quality commercial and retail space in a thriving part of Middlesbrough.

“This area of the town is experiencing a substantial amount of regeneration including the ongoing development of nearby Teesside University, which highlights the levels of investment being made in this vicinity.”

Central Point has its own private underground car park and its units were available under flexible terms without long-term rental commitment.

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