A CITY centre Thai restaurant is preparing to move to a larger unit across the road. 

Bangkok Bistro, in Jewry Street, is taking over the former Prezzo unit directly opposite. 

Miff Kayum, who runs Kyoto Kitchen in Bridge Street, bought the lease after Prezzo moved out in April.

His wife, Suraya Kayum, who hails from Thailand, runs the bistro.

Hampshire Chronicle: Bangkok Bistro team

The plan is for the restaurant to close in its current building on Sunday, November 12. They will then move across the road and reopen a few days later.

READ MORE: Prezzo Winchester one of 46 to close its doors for good

Bangkok Bistro opened in 2020 at the end of the first Covid lockdown. The move will see the capacity increase from 54 seats to around 80.

Mrs Kayum said: “I'm very attached to the place here, but it's a great opportunity. We started when there weren't many Thai restaurants in Winchester. We started it because I was missing Thai food and I wanted to bring a whole range of food here. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Former Prezzo unit

“We started here just after the first lockdown, it's such a lovely place. All our chefs are from Thailand. We will have to add a Thai touch to the new place. It will be very rewarding when we move.”

The restaurant has a full team of Thai cooks and a female head chef. The general manager is Murat Ozgen.

Mr Kayum has just overseen Kyoto Kitchen's move from Parchment Street to Bridge Street. As well as moving the restaurant, a hotel was recently opened above it, consisting of five bedrooms. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Former Prezzo unit

He added: “At the end of the day, it's a business. It's all about getting bums on seats and the new unit gives us that extra capacity. It's enough of an expansion to allow more guests, but keep the intimate feel. 

“The target is to close here on November 12 and open across the road a few days later. We're not doing as much here as in Bridge Street. At Bridge Street House, we had no choice. The place was literally falling apart.

"The actual condition of this building is much better, so it's just about minor alterations. We're re-adjusting the bar, making the kitchen a little bit bigger and decorating. It's just a makeover really. It's going to be a very different feel to what we had.”

The former Prezzo unit currently has an olive tree in its entrance, and the owners are trying to find a new home for it. Contact info@bangkok-bistro.co.uk or call 01962 841811.