The company behind Mustard diner in Sale has lodged plans to open a second restaurant in Altrincham town centre.
Pocket Restaurants is looking to open a restaurant in the Shaw’s Road unit that has for decades been the home of Reel Time Amusements.
Husband and wife team Gavin and Jane Gosnell, co-directors at Pocket Restaurants, have bought the property and have applied for an alcohol licence and sought permission to open a restaurant in the prime town centre spot.
Their current restaurant, based on Northenden Road in Sale, has struck on a successful “neighbourhood diner” concept that specialises in “comfort food, craft beer, coffee and cocktails”. It opened in 2016.
Jane told us they would be looking to “tailor the offering slightly” for Altrincham but that it would essentially look to replicate the formula that was proving popular in Sale.
“We wouldn’t want to cannibalise any of the other independent businesses already there in Altrincham, so we do want to have a point of difference,” she said.
“The original restaurant was borne out of a trip to New York, where we were so impressed by the fabulous, fresh food and the great service. We don’t have jukeboxes in our restaurant and we take our influences from all over, but essentially you could call it Americana comfort food.
“Our menu is all about doing it fresh to order, doing it well and sourcing it locally.”
The Mustard menu features an array of brunch, lunch and dinner plates, with popular dishes including various types of buttermilk fried chicken and beef burgers, loaded fries, salads, desserts and a Sunday roast. It also has a number of vegan options.
Drinks-wise, Jane said Mustard was “very passionate” about craft beers, with eight rotating beers on tap and a Pilsner lager.
The Gosnells, who will look to hire around 15 staff should the restaurant get the green light, hope to create enough space for around 40 covers.
“We know the site well and love the building,” Jane added. “We visit Altrincham regularly with our children and know we’re in the right place.”
She said they were looking forward to getting the keys and seeing what they could create inside.
“We love the windows and the frontage and it will be a nice adventure pulling it away and seeing what’s behind,” said Jane, who with her husband has spent her career in hospitality, working for the likes of Rocco Forte Hotels, Nando’s, Starbucks and Living Ventures.
The pair have sold their house to enable them to buy the premises and are “fully committed” to the plan.
They are anticipating a two-month build project and hope to be able to open by September.
