Stockport approves Pyramid restaurant transformation

Royal Nawaab has been given the go-ahead to convert the long-vacant, distinctive office building into a “high-end dining destination”.

Stockport Council approved the plans last night, paving the way for Royal Nawaab to open its doors in early 2025.

Eamar Developments’ conversion of the 86,000 sq ft former Co-op office – located off Junction 1 of the M60, was first reported by Place North West in July 2023.

Since then, internal strip-out work has been ongoing. With planning approval now secured, Royal Nawaab can press ahead with the remaining work required to reinvent the building.

Once complete Royal Nawaab Manchester will include a restaurant with a capacity to accommodate 350 diners on the ground floor and three premium banqueting facilities, providing space for 150, 300, and 700 diners respectively.

Mahboob Hussain, founder of Royal Nawaab, said: “Living close to Stockport, the Pyramid has always been an iconic symbol of the town for me.

“It is unique and we are thrilled to be bringing Royal Nawaab Manchester [there].”

Hussain was keen to emphasise the planned grandeur of the project.

“This is definitely not ‘a curry house’,” he said.

“Royal Nawaab will be a destination and will attract visitors from across the UK and beyond to experience the best cuisine in the most stunning of settings.”

The new use for such a recognisable landmark has been welcomed by the council, which described Royal Nawaab’s decision to open in Stockport as a “vote of confidence” in the town.

Cllr Colin Macalister, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said:  “We’re thrilled to see the iconic Stockport Pyramid brought back to life with the fantastic Royal Nawaab joining our community! It’s an exciting addition to Stockport’s vibrant food and drink scene, all within one of our town’s most prominent landmarks.

“Bringing 150 new jobs and working with local suppliers, Royal Nawaab’s arrival is a strong vote of confidence in Stockport’s future as our £1bn town centre regeneration continues to take shape.”

Fozia Alharby, chief executive of Eamar Developments, which acquired the building for £4.5m in 2019, added: “Dr Abdullah Alnaeem, the owner, is delighted to announce that Royal Nawaab will open at the Pyramid in 2025. As long-time admirers of the brand and its legacy in the South, we are honoured to play a role in bringing this exceptional destination to Stockport.

“We are delighted to be a part of this project, which will create a premium experience that we believe will resonate with visitors from across the UK and beyond.”

One of the obstacles that had to be overcome to secure planning approval was related to transport.

Rob Holloway, senior associate director at transport consultancy SCP, said: “Due to the proximity to M60 Junction 1, National Highways had reasonable concerns about the impacts but, aided by the data available from our client’s other sites, we were ultimately able to satisfy them that the development would not have a severe impact on traffic.

“TfGM and Stockport had their own issues, which we were similarly able to deal with and to do our part in achieving a recommendation for approval.”

He added: “As a relatively recent local, married to a lifelong Stopfordian, I’m fully familiar with the place the Pyramid has in the hearts of the local community; and how its recent demise as an office had left a slight tinge on the landscape.

“That it will now be brought back beyond its former glory, to the full splendour of a Royal Nawaab banqueting hall, is wonderful for the area and I very much look forward to taking my family.”

To learn more about Ryal Nawaab’s plans, search for application number DC/089342 on Stockport Council’s planning portal.