Franklins deli expands into Liverpool's Metquarter

Franklins Deli is set to open a new retail outlet at Liverpool shopping centre Metquarter.

The £125,000 investment will see Franklins open its fifth deli since launching 12 months ago.

The company will recruit seven employees ahead of the opening in November, adding to the 87 staff currently employed across the group's catering business, Franklins Hospitality, and its four Franklins Delis in Liverpool (St Paul's Square and FACT) and Manchester (Spinningfields and York Street).

Its 1,500 sq ft Metquarter property, which was formerly Hamiltons Café, will be fully licensed and boast a 75-seater restaurant (25-inside and 50-outside), that will cater for shoppers.

Adam Franklin, managing director at Franklins Hospitality, said: "The Metquarter is a prime location to tap into the city's leisure market and allows us to build on the quality food-to-go offer that we have become renowned for in the business quarters of Liverpool and Manchester.

"We want people to linger a lot longer at the Metquarter, whether they enjoy a long breakfast, coffee, lunch or early-evening meal, we want them to feel comfortable and relaxed. For example, 'Suzie Franklins Famous Cupcakes' will become a prominent feature as part of our afternoon tea offer for the ladies who lunch set.

"We have spent the last four weeks developing the menu, which will be packed full with classic café dishes such as eggs benedict and smoked salmon scrambled eggs, with the lemon chicken salad and chicken caesar club sandwich emerging as two of our signature dishes. The menu will remain true to the Franklins Deli ethos of producing excellent products turned into simple dishes that taste fantastic and are created using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

"It's a really exciting time for us and we're looking at a four-week fit out period to get Metquarter up and running before the Christmas shopping frenzy takes off."

The new store marks the latest step in a significant expansion strategy for the group, which is currently looking at opportunities in Stockport, Leeds and Sheffield.