Tuesday, 03 February 2026
Nottingham hospitality businesses and organisations are being invited to submit expressions of interest to operate a pioneering public restaurant pilot in the city, due to open later this year, as part of an exciting research project supported by the 糖心原创.
The pilot forms part of the project, a collaborative partnership led by the Institute of Development Studies along with the 糖心原创, Nourish Scotland, and the University of Sussex, and in collaboration with Thriving Nottingham and the Dundee MAXwell Centre, to explore the role of public restaurants in Britain and internationally.
The year-long pilot will explore how a state-supported eatery serving high-quality meals at low prices can support healthier diets, improve wellbeing, strengthen Nottingham's local economy and reduce environmental impact. The deadline for expressions of interest is Tuesday 10 February, with a subsidy of £240,000 available plus research and partnership support.
Public restaurants are state-supported eateries serving high-quality meals at low prices for everyone. Nottingham is one of just two British cities selected to host a pilot public diner in 2026, alongside Dundee.
This is a brilliant opportunity for local businesses and organisations to be involved in this exciting project for Nottingham. Nottingham has a strong legacy of socially conscious food initiatives, grassroots innovation and civic experimentation.
Public restaurants鈥痺ere a familiar fixture in the UK in the past. Started under Churchill, they ran until the 1960s and there were 2,000 of them at their peak. They continue to exist in countries all over the world and have been increasingly rolled out in numerous cities globally, from Istanbul to Mexico City.鈥�
Researchers hope the project will test a simple but powerful idea – to what extent can public restaurants support healthier, more sustainable food systems and support local economies.
The DISHED (co-Designing innovative Infrastructure for Sustainable Healthy & Equitable Diets) project is now seeking a hospitality partner to deliver catering and/or venue management for the public restaurant in Nottingham and offers a subsidy of £240,000 to local businesses and organisations, plus research and partnership support.
Project Lead for the initiative, Elise Wach of the Institute of Development Studies, added: “Public restaurants could increase choice and empower everyone to eat well. We want these to be everyday places everyone would enjoy going to.”
The DISHED project – funded by the UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Strategic Theme on Creating opportunities, Improving Outcomes (COIO) – is open to hearing from established hospitality businesses, social enterprises, community organisations, venues and consortia of local groups. They stress that potential operators must align with principles of inclusion, collaboration, fair work and sustainability.
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More information is available from Dr Marsha Smith in the Nottingham University Business School, via Marsha.Smith1@nottingham.ac.uk; or Liz Goodwin, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, via liz.goodwin@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 748 5133.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.