Major American-style restaurant chain Hickory’s Smokehouse is set to create 100 new jobs in Leicestershire. The chain has unveiled plans for the restaurant which will become its first venue in the county.
Greene King-owned pub The Fox Pond Pub and Grill in Glen Rise, Oadby, is set to undergo a major redevelopment as part of the plans. Bosses say the venue will close in late March before reopening as ‘Hickory’s Leicester’ in the summer, creating around 100 new jobs including roles for chefs, servers, bar staff and managers.
The chain, which was acquired by pub company Greene King in November 2022, says it will make a “significant investment” into transforming the site into its newest venue. The company already operates restaurants in Derby’s Swarkestone Road and Lincoln’s Newark Road, alongside venues in Nuthall and its recently-opened Gamston site in Nottinghamshire.
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Hickory’s will take over The Fox Pond in Oadby
(Image: Google)
A spokesperson for Hickory’s said: “We are delighted to be coming to Leicester – it’s a new area for us but somewhere that’s been on our wish list for a while now. We’re excited for our first restaurant in Leicestershire.”
The Fox Pond is planned to close in late March and reopen in the summer. The spokesperson added: “We’ll be spending time getting to know the local area and our ambition is to create something truly special. We are looking forward to becoming part of the community for many years to come.”
Further details about the transformation are set to be revealed in spring. The company said it is “busy putting the final touches” to its plans for the venue.
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