intu Watford is to continue its transformation of the shopping centre with a series of new million pound ‘grab-and-go’ food outlets.

Fresh from its £180m expansion which has brought new shops, like Debenhams, restaurants, a cinema, and a bowling alley, intu is to invest even further by launching a series of food outlets.

The £1m scheme will be created at the opposite end of the shopping centre to the extension, by the newly opened climbing centre, Rock Up, and Gourmet Burger Company, on the ground floor.

The redesigned interior will transform the space into a communal dining area featuring giant pods, proving a space for friends, families, and workers to sit down and enjoy a bite to eat together.

Watford Observer:

Five grab-and-go caterers will be coming to intu although it is unconfirmed at this time exactly which brands and what types of cuisines they will be.

Work will begin next week and is expected to be completed in April.

In total, 11 restaurants are opening in the intu extension. TGI Friday’s, MOD Pizza, and Yo! Sushi have opened already, with Cote Brasserie and The Florist also on its way.

Watford Observer:

The intu Watford extension in High Street

The project has propelled intu Watford into one of the top 20 shopping destinations in the country, according to property consultancy CACI, and coincided with the £2m High Street renovation.

Thirteen million pounds has been spent elsewhere in the shopping centre replacing flooring, ceiling, and lighting, as well as refurbishing the car parks and toilets.

Rebecca Ryman, regional managing director at intu, said: “Every area of the centre has been refurbished as part of our strategy to establish intu Watford as a leading day and night out destination.

“We wanted to complement the casual dining experience at intu Watford’s new retail and leisure extension with an equally strong grab-and-go food offering at the other side of the centre that will capitalise on its 14 million a year footfall and the vast numbers of office workers in the town.

“The mall-space is being completely redesigned with an inviting communal dining experience that will increase dwell time and drive footfall to our new food outlets.”