Restaurant receives expansion green light after record year

Nicco Restaurant and Bar has been given the go-ahead to expand its premises following a record-breaking year.

The venue, in Wheelwright Way, on Pride Park, first opened in 2021 and quickly built a reputation for its high-quality contemporary Indian-fusion menu and vibrant cocktails.

Its success has meant demand for bookings now exceeds its current dining capacity.

In March, the restaurant applied for an extension to create more dining and function space. Permission has now been granted by Derby City Council.

Owner Sanj Kumar said: “We are thrilled that Derby City Council has given us the go-ahead to expand the restaurant and bar.

“We are turning a lot of booking interest away because we can’t cater for everyone at the moment, which is disappointing for both customers and the restaurant.

“The extension will allow us to accommodate more diners and private events.”

Work on the new extension is set to begin next year.

The space will create a flexible dining space for private functions, weddings, birthdays and other celebratory groups, and will have its own bar, mini kitchen and dedicated sound system.

Approval for the single-storey extension also includes the creation of a new staff parking area designed to improve the customer experience from the get-go by separating staff and delivery vehicles from customer parking.

Sanj said: “I’m really excited about expanding the venue.

“This has been a record-breaking year in terms of bookings, parties and innovative event planning and execution.

“The extension will add extra capacity and the opportunity to continue offering new and exclusive events allowing us to stay at the top of our game.

“We’ve got some work going on at the moment but I’m hoping we can start work in early 2027.

“We are excited about the possibilities for this space and anticipate it will further contribute to Nicco’s reputation as the go-to Derby venue and in turn, help boost the wider local economy.”