Maki & Ramen to open at Metrocentre as the QUBE hits full capacity

Metrocentre is set to welcome a new flavour sensation as Maki & Ramen officially signs for a restaurant in Upper Yellow Mall. The arrival of the much-loved Japanese-inspired restaurant means The Qube, the centre’s buzzing dining and leisure hub, is now fully let.

The new 7,065 sq ft unit will be located in Upper Yellow Mall, joining a strong line-up of leading F&B brands, and close to the recent addition, Tomahawk Steakhouse. With just under 200 covers, Maki & Ramen will serve a diverse range of Japanese-inspired dishes to its biggest audience yet, from their signature Tonkotsu Ramen to premium-quality sushi.

The Qube in Yellow Mall, home to 20 brands covering over 80,000 sq ft of space, is now fully let to a wide range of global names such as Nando’s, Wingstop, and Pizza Express, and local independents, such as Fattoush;  a clear indicator of Metrocentre’s position as a prime location for leading operators. Following an impressive summer with F&B sales 10.3% up on last year, and the recent arrival of Activate boosting footfall, The Qube continues to reinforce Metrocentre’s ability to focus on and deliver best-in-class, experience-led concepts through food, beverage, and leisure, in support of its regionally-dominant fashion and retail offer.

Gavin Prior, Centre Director at Metrocentre, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Maki and Ramen to The Qube. It’s an exciting addition the really adds to the diversity of dining on offer here at Metrocentre. Having The Qube fully let is a real milestone for us, and it underlines Metrocentre’s position as the region’s leading destination for shopping, dining and leisure. Our focus is always on creating the best possible experiences for our visitors, and welcoming a brand like Maki & Ramen helps us deliver on that promise.”

Michael Anthony Salvador, COO at Maki & Ramen, added:“Maki & Ramen are excited to bring our amazing food to the Gateshead community. To be alongside some of the best brands in the UK and to be in one of the most prestigious shopping malls in the UK is an honour. We’re proud to have our charity partner NIDAS: Changing Lives, alongside us to open our second site in the North East. We cannot wait to give our Maki Fam the biggest site to date, with just under 200 covers and the same quality that our ramen lovers across the UK have come to expect.”

Metrocentre’s emphasis on experience-led concepts has also been demonstrated by the launch of Activate, which has welcomed over 10,000 visitors since opening in July. This momentum is set to continue with the upcoming arrival of Peppa Pig: Surprise Party, another regionally unique experience aligned with Metrocentre’s catchment, pulling 16 million visitors a year from across the North East.