The proprietor and head chef behind a distinguished fine dining establishment that made waves in Nottingham is preparing to launch a second location, this time inspired by the aesthetic of a hidden speakeasy bar.
Nichola Thompson has unveiled Chapter 2, her latest culinary venture, following the remarkable success of Table 47 on Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham, which debuted in May 2024 and currently maintains a reservation backlog extending as far as four months.
The new restaurant will welcome guests at its Pavilion Road location in West Bridgford toward the conclusion of April.
Nichola characterised the venture as another sophisticated addition to Nottingham’s refined gastronomic landscape, stating that Chapter 2 would function as a destination restaurant and bar concentrating on locally-sourced, high-quality ingredients, sustainable practices, and exclusivity, with a distinctive edge.
Unlike conventional eateries that cater to spontaneous visitors, both Table 47 and Chapter 2 operate through advance bookings, providing exclusive hire options for functions or intimate dining occasions, featuring customized menus, tasting experiences, or canapés that position culinary preparation as an integral part of the guest experience.
The Nottingham-raised chef, whose professional journey included training under Gordon Ramsay and Gary Rhodes, as well as distinguished roles at the acclaimed Larwood & Voce and as chef for the Nottingham Forest academy players, expressed that the West Bridgford establishment would represent a significant advancement, potentially expanding the appeal of tailored dining experiences.
The larger venue will accommodate up to 200 attendees for functions or serve between 60 and 80 diners for regular service. The project anticipates generating approximately 25 employment opportunities.
Nichola has once again engaged Midland Joinery to craft a specially designed communal table that enables guests to observe the cooking process, while patrons will also enjoy private access to a secluded outdoor courtyard.
The programming will incorporate themed evenings featuring live musical performances, alongside wine tasting sessions and curated tasting menu events, paralleling the offerings at the existing venue.
The entrepreneur has hosted numerous guest chef collaborations at the Bridlesmith Gate location and intends to implement similar programming in West Bridgford as the new site establishes itself.
Previously, chefs such as Hira Thakur, Ritchie Stainsby, and Louisa Ellis have all presented their culinary creations alongside Nichola.
The interior design diverges from the boutique aesthetic of the city centre location, which featured rich mahogany fixtures along with blue and gold accents.
For Chapter 2, Nichola has envisioned a contemporary speakeasy atmosphere for the basement space, complete with an open kitchen, surrounding bar area, and dedicated cigar room operated by Long Eaton-based House of Horrigan Cigars, featuring humidity control systems to facilitate cigar tasting experiences.
The venue occupies premises formerly housing Hubble Bubble Bar, which ceased operations two years ago.
A £250,000 investment has enabled complete renovation of the basement and courtyard areas by Nottingham-based PARC developments, with Mapperley company Gallery responsible for kitchen design and installation.
Joining Nichola from the beginning is front-of-house manager Tom Winch, who previously supported operations at Table 47 during guest chef events and collaborated with Nichola at Bluu Bar in the Lace Market during their early careers.
Subsequently, Tom developed his expertise across various establishments, including the premium hospitality provider The Entourage Group in the Netherlands.
Tom expressed enthusiasm about Chapter 2, noting that the basement location would uphold Table 47’s standing for excellence and service, with menus entirely crafted around individual parties and their expertise in theatrical culinary presentation, while offering expanded capacity and outdoor courtyard space to approach operations with additional flexibility.
He observed that proximity to the City Ground would likely attract discerning matchday diners to the exclusive courtyard bar, where they could enjoy premium offerings from pop-up vendors and barbecue stations.
Nichola remarked that these represent exceptionally dynamic times, with Chapter 2 once again serving as a destination venue characterised by its speakeasy ambiance and exclusivity.
She had not anticipated reaching this stage in the business’s evolution so promptly, nor had she expected Table 47 to have a four-month waiting list at this point.
Initially, audiences struggled to comprehend the vision behind the bespoke dining concept. Following its demonstrated success, a market gap for such a venue existed, and it has proven tremendously successful.
This marks merely chapter two in the business’s narrative, with additional chapters planned and potentially an unexpected development ahead.