Kudos Hospitality opens Coffee Republic outlet at BIC

The venture opens from 8am – 6pm. When concerts, conferences and exhibitions take place this is extended. It seats 80 people inside with a further 50 outside on the decking. It is also wi-fi enabled allowing delegates and the public to work, and serves the full range of coffees, teas and herbal infusions. The food range includes different paninis, muffins, biscuits and croissants. The outlet was officially opened earlier this month by the Mayor Beryl Baxter, managing director of the BIC Peter Gunn, Crown Group chief executive officer Charles Beer and Coffee Republic's chief operations officer David Reynolds. Gunn commented: "Since the £22m redevelopment in 2005, the number of visitors to entertainment events at the BIC has increased from around 250,000 to 350,000-400,000 each year. Plus last year alone, the BIC attracted 62,000 conference delegates and 37,000 exhibition visitors. With the volume of people who come through the doors each year, the new Coffee Republic is a great initiative to cater for their needs." Beer added: "The opening of this new Coffee Republic gives the BIC a focal point 365 days a year regardless of whether an event is taking place or not. Both delegates and visitors can enjoy it and generally it will bring more people to the BIC. We're delighted that this opening marks the start of our relationship with Coffee Republic."