A CITY-centre complex has been given a huge boost by the arrival of a popular restaurant chain.
Bill’s restaurant opens its doors at the Butter Market in North Street at 8am last Wednesday – meaning the Grade II listed building is now full.
The launch of the new eaterie was welcomed by city council clerk Rodney Duggua, who called it ‘great news for the city’.
The restaurant chain was able to move into the third unit and the first floor of the Butter Market after Chichester District Council granted listed building consent for a new staircase in one of the units.
The decision opened the way for Bill’s to reach a 20-year deal with the city council’s development partner, Orion (Southern) Ltd, and the city council itself – which still owns the Butter Market.
“It is great to be opening in Chichester,” said founder Bill Collison, who opened his first store in Lewes in 2001.
“The dishes we serve in our restaurant and the friendly atmosphere will fit right in with the local buzz.”
The restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner.
It will be open from 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 10.30pm on Sunday.
“In the evening, we light the candles and it’s a really nice place to wind down with drinks or for supper,” he added.
The arrival of Bill’s – which has seven branches in the UK, in locations including Brighton, Covent Garden and Lewes – will mean the whole of the Butter Market, which was built in 1808, is now let more than 18 months after it was finished.
The building was completely refurbished before reopening in April 2011, and it is already home to businesses including Patisserie Valerie and G H Pressley Jewellers.
Mr Duggua, of Chichester City Council, said he had already noticed how busy the Butter Market had become since Bill’s opened.
“We would very much welcome Bill’s to the city and wish them every success,” he said. “To see the Butter Market now full to its maximum operating capacity is great news for the city.”
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