Iona Pub Partnership has agreed a new lease with award-winning Sri Lankan street-food brand KOCHCHI for the former Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane. This brings the operator’s first standalone restaurant to Glasgow’s West End following a £500,000 investment in the venue.
Set to open this winter as a neighbourhood restaurant and late-evening hangout, the two-floor site will offer around eighty covers with additional external seating and a dedicated bar serving Sri Lankan-inspired cocktails, craft beers and tropical softs. The opening is expected to create fifteen new jobs locally.
Founded by Shehan Fernando and Suki Jayaratne, KOCHCHI rose to prominence as one of the original kitchens at Bonnie & Wild in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, where its flame-fired cooking and modern take on Sri Lankan flavours built a strong following. Signature dishes such as kottu roti, spicy devilled chicken and house-made sambols will feature alongside new plates created for Glasgow.
“Exactly the calibre of operator this lane deserves”
Alan Sayers, Operations Director at Iona Pub Partnership, said:
“KOCHCHI is exactly the calibre of operator we want to champion across our estate: entrepreneurial, quality-driven and community-minded. Ruthven Lane is an iconic hospitality address for the West End, and we’re thrilled to play our part in its next chapter with partners who bring genuine craft and cultural personality to the table.”
Alan added, “Demand for this site was exceptional – we received over thirty applications from industry-leading operators across Scotland and beyond. KOCHCHI stood out for the strength of their concept, their track record at Bonnie & Wild and a clear plan to invest in people, product and place.”
A boost for the Byres Road area
The restaurant’s arrival follows the closure of Hanoi Bike Shop earlier this year and will ensure a continuous, high-quality hospitality offer just off Byres Road, supporting footfall for neighbouring independents and complementing the area’s mixed day-to-night economy. The conversion will retain the building’s intimate charm while upgrading guest facilities and back-of-house to modern standards.
KOCHCHI on bringing Colombo’s energy to Glasgow
KOCHCHI co-founder Shehan Fernando said: “When you sit at our table, you taste more than Sri Lanka – you taste Colombo, the city where the island comes together. At KOCHCHI Glasgow, we want to share that rhythm and warmth – rich curries, street snacks and seafood dishes that carry the flavours of home – brought to life with a Glasgow energy of its own.”
Co-founder Suki Jayaratne said: “This is a milestone for us. With a half-million-pound investment, we’re evolving from street-food roots into a full restaurant and bar, while keeping the flame-fired spirit people know us for.”
Thinking Bigger? Iona Can Help
Iona Pub Partnership is Scotland’s leading leased and tenanted pub company, partnering with ambitious operators to create thriving, community-focused venues. From neighbourhood locals to destination bars and restaurants, we provide flexible agreements, capital support and best-in-class guidance across property, compliance and commercial growth. If you’re a like-minded, quality-focused operator exploring your next site in Scotland, we’d love to talk.