RAW fish is in the frontline to reinvent struggling Debenhams. But any fears that the arrival of Europe’s largest sushi chain in the Market Street store will scare off traditional customers have been allayed – Sushi Daily promise that, while catering for fish lovers, veggies and vegans, they will be offering ‘no raw fish’ options.
The sushi kiosk is situated on the ground floor next to the terminally uncool Joe & The Juice as part of a re-design repositioning it away from the traditional department store. Whether it will lure punters away from colourful Yo Sushi in the Arndale centre remains to be seen. We expect that marvellous indie minnow, Umezushi, will weather the intruder’s landing.
Sushi Daily is on an altogether different scale, having opened in 700 locations across since being launched in LYon by Kelly Choi in 2010.
This in-store concession will be their debut UK store partnership, having already opened sites in Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Asda.
We are promised a theatrical dining experience via their open prep kitchen with two dine-in menus, exclusive to Debenhams, which include Prosecco in the price. The first is eighteen pieces of sushi with two glasses of prosecco for £15. The second menu features 30 pieces for three people and includes three glasses of prosecco for £32. Check out their full menu here.
“We’re excited to put down roots in vibrant Manchester and we’re very eager to meet the local foodies,” said Daniel Coole, managing director of Sushi Daily UK. “This is a great opportunity for us to work in partnership with Debenhams, introducing our delicious and innovative sushi menu to the city.”
After a difficult 12 months for retail Debenhams escaped falling into the clutches of Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct, but all’s still not well. Creditors have until June 6 to challenge two company voluntary arrangement (CVA) deals forcing the closure of 22 of the group’s 116 UK stores to prevent collapse.