Member Article

Thai street food concept set to create 50 new jobs in Gateshead

Thaikhun, the Thai-themed street food restaurant, has announced it will create 50 new jobs in Gateshead with the launch of a new eatery at Metrocentre.

Owners Thai Leisure Group (TLG) are making an initial £875k investment into the area, which will mark the brand’s first restaurant in the North East.

Currently owning six UK restaurants, the 4,500 sq ft site will be TLG’s seventh as it looks to further expand its presence throughout the country.

Thaikhun is one of nine new restaurants set to open in Metrocentre’s new £17m dining and leisure extension, set to be completed in April 2016.

Staying true to its Thai roots, a traditional opening ceremony will be carried out by Buddhist Monks on 30th March 2016. Spiritual chanting and a sacred blessing will take place at the site of intu Metrocentre’s restaurant, in order to wish good fortune and prosperity to the new establishment, followed by an exclusive VIP event in the evening.

Located in the Qube in the Yellow Mall, the eatery will include an open kitchen with authentic Thai chefs, as well as traditional artefacts and decorations sourced from the street markets of Thailand.

Ian Leigh, managing director at Thaikhun, said: “Breaking into the North East market has been on our agenda for a while now, so we are incredibly excited to be investing in the region.

“We hope that our new restaurant will bring something a little different to intu Metrocentre’s current food and drink offering, as well as ignite our customer’s dreams of exploring Thailand through our traditional Thai street food and interactive dining experience.”

Helen Atkinson, Marketing Manager at intu Metrocentre, said: “The arrival of Thaikhun at intu Metrocentre is an exciting and innovative addition to our restaurants. The design of the restaurant alone looks fantastic, and the food offering will bring a different dining experience to the centre, which we can’t wait to try.”