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Railpen has announced the opening of Wilding, an independent café, wine bar and restaurant, at Old George Mall in Salisbury. The deal reinforces the food and beverage offering at the shopping centre and its position as the premier shopping destination in Salisbury. 

The multi award-winning Somerset-based operator has opened its second Wilding restaurant in the former Café Rouge at Old George Mall. The restaurant is the company’s third overall, sitting alongside sister brand Eight Stony Street, which is based in Frome. Occupying 3,724 sq ft, Wilding also features a dedicated wine shop where customers can purchase many of the wines on offer in the bar, as well as a café for people to enjoy fresh coffee. The wine bar stocks over 350 wines from around the world whilst the restaurant aims to source as many products locally as possible. 

The opening of a quality local operator adds to the impressive existing food and beverage offering at Old George Mall, which includes café Boston Tea Party and burger chain Byron Burgers. 

Mahmoud Attia, Asset Manager at Railpen, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Wilding to Salisbury, and to be supporting the business’ growth.  With their many awards, huge selection of wines and reputation for quality food, Wilding adds something special to Old George Mall. The signing also demonstrates Railpen’s commitment to securing local, independent businesses to complement leading high street brands at the centre.”

Wilding’s opening gives visitors to Old George Mall a chance to dine in an award-winning restaurant. It has won the Best Hybrid Retailer Award at the 2021 Drinks Retailing Awards, Best Restaurant at the 2020 Bath Life Awards and Best Newcomer at the 2019 Crumbs Awards. Wilding and Eight Stony Street are both committed to sustainability and local produce, and will be sharing suppliers wherever possible. 

Kent Barker, Founder of Wilding, said: “We are very excited to have opened at Old George Mall in Salisbury for our second Wilding restaurant and third overall with Eight Stony Street in Frome. The restaurant complements our sister brand Eight Stony Street, giving us a chance to share local suppliers and delivering a sustainable dining experience.  The location is perfect for us, with Old George Mall the prime retail destination in Salisbury, attracting considerable footfall from Salisbury and the wider catchment area. We look forward to the future here in Salisbury at Old George Mall.”

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Railpen, the investment manager for the £35bn Railways Pension Scheme, owns and manages the retail destination known as Old George Mall.

Time Retail acted for Railpen, and Everard Cole represented Wilding.