The new store, located on the Piazza side of the NEC, will be operated by in-house caterers Amadeus as a franchise operation.
Launched to visitors to the NEC in March, Barrel & Stone uses the ‘freshest’ ingredients to create handcrafted, freshly prepared stone baked pizza.
Also offering craft beer, gelato and artisan coffee, the 50-cover restaurant will offer visitors another place to dine at the NEC.
Russell Hardiman, managing director of Barrel & Stone, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Amadeus and to have launched our first standalone retail unit at the NEC. People visiting the venue can enjoy a quality, authentic Italian offering, either by sitting and relaxing in the restaurant or using the grab and go takeaway offering.”
Barrel & Stone has been introduced to the venue as part of wider development plans which will see Amadeus launch a range of street food options in the months to come.
Marc Frankl, F&B director for Amadeus, said: “We are constantly looking to refresh our F&B offering for visitors to the NEC based on the latest trends in the food industry at large. With a venue like the NEC – which sees over 500 events every year – visitors want something quick, easy and delicious to sustain them throughout the day.
“With all of our brands and retail units now we are looking to bring the convenience and theatre of street food into the venue and our events. Barrel & Stone really appealed to us as a concept as it boasts premium pizzas with a street food feel.
“The introduction of Barrel & Stone is just the beginning of our ambitious development plans to bring a wider range of authentic street food to the NEC in the coming months.”