THE Ivy could be open in time for Christmas, sources have told the Echo.
Jobs are now being advertised for the premium restaurant chain ahead of its opening in Bournemouth town centre.
Roles up for grabs include a sous chef, assistant restaurant manager and restaurant administrator – offering a “competitive” salary.
Paneling can be seen bordering the outside of the former New Look building in the Square that The Ivy is to occupy with green advertising boards around for the jobs.
A strapline on the boards says: “Oh we do like to be beside the seaside” with a drawing of a woman with an Ivy hat.
Workmen continue to be working on refurbishing the interior and fitting the new restaurant.
A source told the Echo: “I think they want to open the restaurant in time for Christmas, so still a while away.”
Earlier this month, BCP Council’s planning department gave Troia UK Restaurants (the company behind The Ivy brand) planning permission for the changes to the shopfront and a new outside seating area.
When the restaurant does open, outdoor seating will be provided between 8am and 10pm along with planters, six outside heaters and a new door to the building on the corner with Richmond Hill.
However, if the restaurant does open in time for Christmas, the outdoor seating won’t be put in place for a few weeks.
Wendy Lane, director of planning at BCP Council, said: “The external seating area must be removed when the Christmas Market is in situ each year.
“This will be from the end of October until the second week in January annually.”
She added this is to “prevent the emergency access route being affected and reduced to below an acceptable standard with the seating area in place”.
Work on fitting the restaurant has taken so long because the “fragile” building – unoccupied since 2022 – is suffering from many structural problems, an insider said.
Kate Roberts, a planner for The Ivy, previously said the restaurant will “create more life and vibrancy” in the Square.
The Ivy has been approached for more details on its opening date.
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