Latest News | 16 February 2021
New eatery serving healthy food set for Pride Park
A new eatery serving healthy food is coming to Derby’s Pride Park following a deal involving Ivygrove Developments.
Mezzo is set to open its doors at a unit in Victoria Way, after co-founders David Meredith and Skevy Ioannides, who are both from Derby, secured a deal to buy the premises from Ivygrove.
The new business will offer a breakfast menu, which will include healthy hot and cold options.
Then, after 11.30am, it will provide a daytime buffet service, where customers can mix and match hot and cold dishes, catering for all dietary requirements. Themed days and evenings are also planned.
Diners will also have the option of eating in, Covid permitting, or take out – and businesses will be able to order in advance.
Currently, the premises, formerly an office and workshop, are being fitted out and it is hoped that Mezzo will open for business next month, depending on government restrictions.
Once fully operational, it will employ around a dozen staff. The business will be run on a day-to-day basis by Skevy and her partner David, who have invested £300,000 into the venture.
David, whose background is in retail and logistics, having worked previously as a director for both Asos and John Lewis, said: “Opening Mezzo has been a lifelong ambition of Skevy.
“She has been in the hospitality trade all her life and is passionate about great tasting, healthy food.
“We have been looking for a suitable location for a while now – and Pride Park is Derby’s premier business location.
“I think people are tired of the same old thing and this will be a very welcome addition to the community.”
Richard Blount, from Ivygrove, said: “We think this exciting new food and drink offering on Pride Park is much-needed and will be a great addition to Derby’s premier business location. We were delighted to have assisted in its creation.”
According to David, Mezzo’s breakfast dishes will range from cold options like smoothies, yoghurt pots and fruit, to hot selections such as poached eggs, avocado, spinach on sourdough toast, baked omelettes, as well as more traditional offerings.
At the daytime buffet, customers can pay for a regular or large bowl and can help themselves, with dishes refreshed regularly.
He said: “We have received huge support from local businesses. We feel something like this is long overdue and everyone can’t wait for us to open.”
The new business has received support from a number of Marketing Derby Bondholders.
Among them is Darren Marsh, managing director of Document Network Services, which is based in Royal Scot Road, on Pride Park.
He said: “Having run my business from Pride Park for the past 20 years it has always been difficult to find a dining and/or takeaway service that offers easy access and healthy eating options.
“This will be a brilliant addition for all my stakeholders and will be perfect for taking clients to, plus buying food to take back to the office or home.”
Also backing the arrival of Mezzo is Fiona Apthorpe, partner at law firm Geldards, which has its Derby offices on Pride Park.
She said: “We badly need somewhere with atmosphere, selling quality healthy food, run by passionate people.
“Pride Park is getting bigger. We need some more quality eateries to compete with the chains.”
To get further updates on Mezzo's opening, please click here.
