Lussmanns to move into Carluccio’s Oxford site

Lussmanns to move into Carluccio’s Oxford site for first venue outside Hertfordshire heartland. Lussmanns Fish & Grill, the independent brasserie group backed by investor Luke Johnson, is moving into Carluccio’s Oxford site for its first venue outside its Hertfordshire heartland and sixth in total. Carluccio’s have closed the restaurant in Little Clarendon Street in order to search for larger premises in the city that can accommodate its Fresca redesign. A spokesman said: “After careful evaluation we have taken the difficult but strategic decision to close Carluccio’s Oxford. The site no longer fits our portfolio as we require larger sites to accommodate our new style of restaurant with updated interiors, different zones and elevated product offer. We have assigned our lease to Lussmanns Fish & Grill, with the team having been offered positions at the new restaurant. We hope to return to Oxford soon in a larger space.” In December, Carluccio’s revealed it had seen sales uplifts of between 15% and 35% from sites refurbished with its Fresca design. Meanwhile Lussmanns has been seeking sites outside Hertfordshire since May. Its restaurants are in Harpenden, Hertford, Hitchin, St Albans and Tring. AG&G brokered the Oxford deal.