Si to open doors in February

Jan 11 2013 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

Irvine’s newest restaurant and bar, Si!, will open its doors next month.

The latest venture by Irvine hoteliers Malcolm and Karen Simpson will have a Mediterranean theme including two bars and a restaurant on the site of the former Golf Hotel in the town’s Kilwinning Road.

And the successful couple who run SimpsInns are also busy renovating the Riverside Inn in Minishant.

After taking ownership in June 2012, the owners decided to continue trading for the remainder of the season and only closed the doors after recent Hogmanay celebrations.

And once Si! – boasting two bars, a restaurant downstairs and an Italian bar and restaurant upstairs – opens in February, they plan to work on Waterside in Seamill to create a new wedding venue and hotel adjoined to the restaurant.

It will bring 40 jobs to the town and Malcolm has already started hiring under a new scheme where people who may be deemed unemployable by some are given a chance to train with the possibility of landing a job at the end of it.

“Si! is taking great shape and this is something that we have wanted to bring to our home town for many years,” said Malcolm.

He added: “We are proud to bring over 40 jobs to Irvine, we live and work here and under a project we run with North Ayrshire Council, 16 trainees are being given the chance to learn all about the industry.

“These are people who may not have been given a chance before and we are hopeful all 16 will work with us at the end of the project.”