Preston Mowgli restaurant 'still on the cards'

The restaurant chain was set to take a new unit in St George's Shopping Centre in 2020.

But Ms Katona decided to look elsewhere after work on the new restaurants quarter was paused.

St George's Shopping Centre is now in administration, but administrators say it is continuing to trade normally within the current coronavirus restrictions and are hopeful for the future.

Now Ms Katona has said in a social media post that new sites in Edinburgh, Brighton and Preston are still under consideration.

Confirming that Mowgli Cheltenham was set to open this summer, Ms Katona confirmed the street food chain's ambitions for expansion.

She said on social media: "To grow Mowgli, to create jobs at this time reminds me of why we must keep our chins up and march on as bloodied as we are.

"We exist to enrich life in the cities we go to."

Preston City Council has previously said it will work with Mowgli to find it a suitable site.

Deputy council leader Coun Peter Moss tweeted: "More positive news for Preston.

"Quality chains still showing interest and confidence in our city. Fingers crossed!"

Speculation about the reasons for her pulling out of Preston led her to issue a statement in 2020.

Ms Katona said at the time: "If I could be in Preston I would be.

"It is NOT because of rents or any of our dealings with the wonderful city of Preston - it is because the entire scheme that we were going to be part of is sadly stalled.

"If it resurrects in good time, so will our dreams of a Preston Mowgli."

The Ormskirk-based barrister gave up her 20 year legal career to build Mowgli Liverpool and opened a Manchester outlet less than a year later