Usher sells Hispi to Open Restaurant Group

Gary Usher's Elite Bistro's has sold its Hispi site to the Open Restaurant Group, the operator behind Restaurant 8 and Noted. 

Led by Sam Morgan and chef Andy Sheridan, Open Restaiurant Group will rename Hispi as Arcadian, a new concept centred around live-fire cooking.

"My time at Hispi has come to an end," says Usher. "We’ve had an amazing 10 years. We are passing the baton over. You’ve probably seen the amazing restaurateurs Sam Morgan and the chef Andy Sheridan. They are opening some incredible restaurants and we know it’s in good hands.

"I’d like to think we’ve left an incredible legacy here. This has been a special place. I’m grateful to all the team, past and present. Thanks to the original crowd funders, 10 years ago. We look forward to hearing from Open Restaurant Group about what their plans are with Hispi.”

Open Restaurant Group has said that there will be no job losses and all Hispi team members will be retained. 

"We’d like to pay tribute to Gary and his team," adds Morgan. "Elite Bistros has been an incredible company that’s fed the people of the North West over the past decade. We’re looking forward to working with the Hispi team and we’ll be making sure there are no job losses as we pick up the baton.

"We’re delighted to become custodians of a well-respected restaurant and we have an exciting vision for its future."

Hispi’s final service will take place on 9 August 2026. Arcadian will officially open on 28 August 2026.

Image: Elite Bistros

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