Touchwood Welcomes a Tasty New Era

A new era is dawning at Touchwood with the arrival of some brand new shops and restaurants.

Touchwood revealed names coming to the shopping centre in the coming months. They include a bowling and cocktail bar and a bubble tea outlet. Here’s what’s known so far about the exciting upcoming arrivals.

Nines

The four lane Bowling and Cocktail Bar ‘Nines’ is named after the American prohibition enforced change from ten pin bowling to nine pins after ten pin bowling was outlawed due to the propensity for such venues to host illegal drinking clubs. No such illegal activities taking place here, the new bar and eatery is expected to be popular family entertainment destination by day and a stylish night spot for the discerning Solihull crowd by night.

2 Tea

The independent bubble tea outlet is going into the old Neal's Yard store in Poplar Arcade. Not much is known about the business just yet - but bubble tea outlets have proved a hit in other areas of the West Midlands, with several opening in Birmingham in recent years and another, Bubblycious, launching in Merry Hill in April.

Originating in Taiwan, bubble tea is made by blending a tea base with milk, fruit and fruit juices, then adding the 'bubbles' – tapioca pearls – to sit at the bottom of the drink. It can be served hot or cold.

The Handmade Burger Co

Handmade Burger Co will reopen in its former home in Touchwood Shopping Centre as part of revival plans for the restaurant chain.

The brand has been saved by a former worker, who will bring back a number of the companies' outlets across the country, including in Solihull.

An opening date is yet to be confirmed, but June was the initial target announced by the chain's new owners in April. The Aspirational Brands business vehicle is driving the re-launch, led by chief executive Adam Howitt, who is one of the new owners.

A handful of the most successful Handmade Burger sites have been purchased by Adam Howitt, an ex-Handmade Burger manager turned hospitality entrepreneur.

He said: "We’ve got loads more offers on the table and negotiations taking place so exciting times, especially on the back of Touchwood’s imminent sale."

Dirty Wild Wings

The gourmet fried chicken brand currently operates as a virtual brand only, offering deliveries, but it's said to be opening its first physical outlet in Touchwood later this year. 

Dirty Wild Wings fries chicken wings fresh-to-order in its special blend of 14 herbs and spices, and then coats them in a range of unique flavours such as Devilishly Hot, Wild Buffalo and the Caribbean-inspired Jerkin’ Mess. 

The Solihull site will operate as a takeaway restaurant, with limited seating in the mall, moving into the former Subway unit. Due to open late summer 2021. Word has it that Touchwood will be in a position to share even more restaurant news in the coming weeks and months as negotiations progress with a number of other exciting concepts.

The Magic Bean Coffee Shop

There's magic in every cup at the Magic Bean Coffee Shop, Solihull's first not for profit, wellbeing family coffee shop

They opened a few weeks ago, and they offer the latest amazing selection of coffee and teas with a delicious range of fresh food including sandwiches, smoothies, milkshakes and locally baked cakes and biscuits.

Enjoy a relaxing coffee with family while your children can enjoy an array of activities on offer in the family activity room with one of their play workers on hand. They also run bookable sessions for more exclusive needs