News Details

NEWS CAFE UMHLANGA OPENING
NEW NEWS CAFE, ROCKS - NEWS CAFE NEW STORE OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT

November, 2009

Official opening of the new News Cafe Umhlanga Rocks, took place on 28 November. This brings the number of operational outlets to three within the KwaZulu-Natal region, with a fourth site planned for the first quarter of 2010, and the completion of the new La Mercy international airport.

KwaZulu-Natal is by no means a new territory for the News Cafe brand; with two stores currently operational in each Musgrave and Sun Coast Casino. Previously, a store as situated in Gateway Centre, closed its doors, due to unfortunate operational issues.

Says Alan van der Westhuizen, News Cafe General Manager, Restaurant Division, “Since the closing of our Gateway store, News Cafe has been actively investigating potential sites, which will once again, ensure a strong brand presence in the Umglanga area.”
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Traditionally a holiday destination; with the development of the area, as well as the new La Mercy airport, business as well as residential expansion has been colossal in the past three-to-four years. The new News Cafe store is located in the Umhlanga “village”, which is situated within close proximity to and easily accessible by foot, from a myriad of neighbouring hotels and B&B’s.

Umhlanga was an obvious choice for the group as the North Coast is fast developing and will soon establish itself as the commerce hub of KwaZulu-Natal; this together with the opening of the new international airport - makes it one of the emergent business nodes to watch in SA.

According to the brand philosophy; airports represent high traffic, captive market environments. Expounds van der Westhuizen, “The supporting News Cafe strategy seeks to include all airports, both local and international, wherever possible, as key areas for market expansion. Phenomenal trading is expected over the festive period, which we hope will be sustainable well into 2010 and beyond.”

The site was originally secured in July 2009 and the standard build-up period of between 10 and 12 weeks, commenced in August 2009. Involved franchisees, Marshall and Yugeshnee Prosothma and Richie Subramarian are confident that the News Cafe brand is already well established, accepted and supported, within the greater KwaZulu-Natal region. This despite stiff competition from the local quick service restaurant market, inclusive of the likes of Europa, ZARA, the George Tapas, Characters, soon to open Hooters, as well as a number of restaurant outlets within the Gateway shopping centre.

Certainly a defining factor of the new store, and one which is sure to draw the crowds, is its décor. The News Cafe attitude holistically supports and enhances the “Vibe” experience. The facilitation of the brand’s personality, across a multitude of touch points, was the general brief, as presented to appointed interior designers, Quanto Bello.

The overall design of News Cafe Umhlanga with its 106 seats indoors, and outdoor seating of 52; took its proximity to the ocean into account, with the use of subtle elements to enhance a “coastal” look and feel. The space is undeniably airy and open, which has been given a fresh feel by the use of cool blues and golds that are especially evident in the main bulkhead, as well as bar features. Extensive use of outdoor lounge areas adds to that relaxed holiday feeling; providing patrons with the opportunity to sink into a comfy couch and indulge in a colourful cocktail or two over lunch; or while watching the sun sink over the rocks