Babucho to open 'high street brasserie' in former Barluga building in Gosforth in the new year
Babucho has taken over the leasehold of the former United Reformed Church on Gosforth High Street and it will undergo an "extensive refit" ahead of opening in early 2025
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveA popular Newcastle restaurant is set for an expansion in the new year.
Babucho, on Dean Street on Newcastle Quayside, has acquired the converted United Reformed Church in Gosforth, formerly home to Barluga. The leasehold for the premises had been put up for sale for £100,000 during the summer by the Vaulkhard Leisure Group.
However, for sale signs have come down to be replaced with ones which say Babucho's "high street brasserie" is coming soon. Robby Scott, managing director of Babucho, said that the new brasserie is planned to open early next year.
He told ChronicleLive: "We're incredibly busy down the road for Christmas. That's why we're going to wait until the new year to open."
Babucho bosses have had their eye on the building for several years, and had previously planned to expand before the pandemic, but that had to be put on hold. When the leasehold went up for sale in the summer, they "jumped straight in".
The former church, which has also had Loch Fyne Restaurant inside, will undergo an extensive refit in the final months of 2024. Plans include booths downstairs and a high dining counter; and private dining rooms aimed at groups enjoying "celebratory dining."
Robby continued: "In terms of the decor, we're just taking advantage of the beauty of the building. It's a total contrast to the building we already have in Newcastle, and we're doing a lot of things to show off the beauty of the design."
The building may be undergoing a makeover, but the food and staff will be familiar to regular Babucho diners. The most popular dishes, such as slow-cooked meats and Sunday roasts, will be available in the new venue, as will pizza and pasta.
There are plans for some staff to work at both sites, though Robby estimates that the new venture could create as many as 50 new jobs. He finished: "I think plenty of people think of local restaurants as a place to go when you don't want to cook.
"But we want to make it much more special than that. It's a family-friendly restaurant, and I think people will come from all over Newcastle to try it - it's a beautiful building to come and have a meal at!"
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