Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) today announced a major milestone for its new world class entertainment hub - Trade Centre Plaza - revealing hospitality leaders Bin Hendi, Al Tayer Trends, Al Khaja Group and Wild Peeta founders Al Awadhi brothers as operators confirmed to launch leading food outlets that will anchor the Plaza’s hospitality offering.
The agreements signal the arrival of Japengo Café, Caffè Nero, Hatam and Wild Peeta at DWTC’s prestigious Trade Centre Plaza development - the spacious open area adjacent to DWTC’s newly opened extension. The Plaza, which opened in October of 2009 has already hosted over 25,000 exhibitors and visitors to world-class open-area events, and will host a mix of world class amenities including restaurants and coffee shops along with entertainment areas. Scheduled to open in June 2010 onwards, these four leading restaurants will provide business and leisure visitors with the choice of a variety of international cuisine options at one of Dubai’s leading entertainment destinations.
The outlets at the Trade Centre Plaza are conveniently located between Dubai Exhibition Gate and steps away from the new Trade Centre metro station. Due to open in late April, the new station will provide DWTC business and leisure visitors easy access to DWTC including the new Sheikh Saeed Halls. It is forecast that 30 per cent of DWTC’s millions of visitors per year will arrive from the new Trade Centre metro station via the Plaza.
Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “We constantly strive for ways in which to enhance our visitors’ experience at DWTC. The demand for amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, retail and public spaces for recreation and entertainment has increased with the continued growth of the region’s conferences and exhibitions sector. As we demonstrate through today’s partnerships, we are working with industry leaders and renowned establishments for every aspect of the Plaza’s development, to ensure that every resident and visitor is offered a pleasurable and distinctive experience.”
Japengo Café offers a creative mix of fine international cuisine served in fashionable and inviting surroundings. On track to open in July 2010, the DWTC outlet will cover a total of 2,325 square feet and will signify the eleventh store in Dubai.
Khalil Fakih, Business Development Manager of Bin Hendi, the company that introduced Japengo Café to the UAE market said: “Japengo’s location on Sheikh Zayed Road is unique, thanks to its visibility from the main road as well as its attachment to DWTC. The exhibitions held at DWTC attract international delegates from all over the world and we believe that Japengo, with its multiple cuisine concept, will perfectly compliment exhibitors and visitors alike. Moreover, its position on Sheikh Zayed Road will also attract locals and residents that know the concept well and are regular visitors to Japengo.”
Wild Peeta, the Emirati brand of quick service restaurants selling fusion Shawarmas and salads will open its first ever ‘lifestyle’ outlet in the Trade Centre Plaza this summer. The design of the 1,173 square foot store is a unique collaboration between Wild Peeta and the University of Sharjah (Department of Architecture) and the company’s impressive social media following, which includes a ‘thought wall’ for visualising and sharing ideas, a ‘story-teller’ area for small presentations and a ‘work’ section that is lap top friendly.
Mohammed Al Awadhi, co-founder of Wild Peeta said: “Being the only food service establishment to actively involve its customers and social media followers in store design, we are very excited to announce the opening of our new DWTC lifestyle branch in June 2010. We have received tremendous support from the community, in particular the University of Sharjah, and this store is a true reflection of our customers’ style. DWTC is a location that we feel will satisfy our target market completely, providing an area to relax, work and interact in a very cosmopolitan environment.”
Caffè Nero is renowned for offering a superb customer experience by friendly and expert staff offering a unique, personalised barista service, selling the finest espresso-based Italian quality coffee, iced drinks and a wide range of freshly prepared, deli-style food. The approximately 1,500 square foot DWTC outlet will be the fifth in Dubai and the ninth to open in the UAE.
In addition, the Plaza will serve as a pre/post concert and event holding area for guests attending shows at the recently completed Trade Centre Arena, whereby visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee, a quick snack or a sit-down dinner at the newly opened F&B outlets. The new 9,100 sq. m. Arena is the region’s largest indoor events auditorium, capable of hosting over 10,000 guests in an air-conditioned environment.
Commenting on the completion of The Arena, Al Marri added, "The transformation of the Trade Centre Arena is a key development for DWTC and for Dubai. The Emirate now boasts the country's largest indoor events auditorium and is equipped to host a number of exciting, large scale events. This is a big milestone in the 31 year history of DWTC and thanks to our recently completed extension; we have hugely expanded the scope of live events that we, and Dubai, are capable of staging."
Having welcomed over 1.24 million visitors to its venues in 2009, DWTC has been a major contributor to the growing trade and tourism in Dubai. With the addition of top hospitality partners such as Bin Hendi, Al Tayer Trends, Al Khaja Group and Wild Peeta, as well as the region’s largest event space, DWTC is set to strengthen its already established reputation as the region’s leading venue operator and events organizer.
