Leisure and care company the Gainford Group has invested significant sums into creating a new Japanese-style bar and restaurant on Newcastle Quayside .
Gainford, which also operates care homes within the North East, has already ploughed several million pounds into former offices on Sandhill, converting the property into the boutique Vermont Aparthotel, which opened earlier this summer.
The firm, which also owns the Vermont Hotel and Bar Livello in Newcastle, created 100 jobs in the project, from the construction stage through to recruiting hotel staff.
Now the final part of the group’s regeneration programme is nearing completion, having pledged to revive the former Chase bar, once a regular hangout for Newcastle United players in its late-1990s heyday.
Aveika is set to open this weekend in the prominent Quayside building, and the owners have said they have worked hard to ensure the bar and restaurant will not compete with Bar Livello, which won North East Bar of the Year Award at the Benevolent Awards last year.
As well as modern Japanese cuisine restaurant, where food will be served on authentic Japanese crockery custom-made for Aveika, the venue will have a theatre-style sushi bar and robata grill where diners can watch the specialist chefs at work.
The large venue also has a cocktail bar and dance area.
A spokesman added: “Our aim has always been to bring life to the Quayside once again. The bar restaurant is launching to the public this Saturday, after a VIP launch the night before by the Lord Mayor.
“In the 1990s the Newcastle Quayside was a hive of night life and vibrant activity, but as investment declined as did the standards of the venues.
“In 2012 Gainford Group took over the then failing Vermont, and returned this iconic hotel to its former position as Newcastle’s finest independent 4 star hotel. Then in 2013 opening Livello recently voted Best Bar North East.
“Aveika is a fusion restaurant and late night bar like no other in the UK and will be open to the public from Friday and having carefully pieced together design, taste and service elements from around the world, the Gainford Group directors and management team have created a truly unique hospitality venue to entice and excite every guest.
“Aveika Late Bar & Restaurant is a modern Japanese restaurant that takes its inspiration from the Japanese concept of an ‘Izakaya’.
“Historically, Izakayas have been Japanese drinking establishments that also serve food.
“However, in recent years, the Izakaya has evolved into much more sophisticated establishment where the atmosphere is both stylish and vibrant.
“The essential difference between the Izakaya style and that of a formal restaurant is that there is no prescribed etiquette when ordering from the menu, with no prescribed difference between starter and main courses – a bit like tapas.
“Gainford would like to thank financial backers Santander bank, and a team of contactors sourced from across the country for their specific skills”