New Thai restaurant hopes to impress town’s ladies who lunch

Restaurant chain the Giggling Squid already operates in 11 locations with several more in the pipeline.

The Berkhamsted eatery is due to open to the public in September or October and restaurants are also expected shortly in Guildford and Billericay.

Sites have also been acquired in Bury St Edmunds, Esher and Bath.

Co-owner Andrew Laurillard said: “Berkhamsted is an historic market town with an affluent, discerning and well-travelled population.

“We’ve wanted to come here since opening in Henley in November 2012 and in Marlow in January 2014 – we’re delighted to have finally found the perfect spot.”

The new Thai restaurant will be in Berkhamsted’s High Street next door to Costa Coffee with a £200,000 refit due to go ahead before the grand opening.

It is expected to created between 15 and 20 new jobs for the market town.

The restaurant brand was founded by Andrew and Pranee Laurillard. Thai born Pranee met her husband-to-be while studying in the UK and the name Giggling Squid is derived from the nickname for one of their three children.

The pair introduced their Thai tapas concept to the UK when they opened their first restaurant in Hove back in 2009.

Dishes are all freshly prepared from scratch at each restaurant by master Thai chefs and the healthy tapas menu has proved popular elsewhere at lunchtime with office workers, yummy mummies and ladies who lunch.

Giggling Squid also has branches in Brighton, Hove,  Tunbridge Wells, Reigate, Stratford-upon-Avon, Marlow, Horsham, Sevenoaks, Salisbury and Bristol. 

Wife Pranee said: “Ultimately, we’re a food-led business and are still having great fun.

“We are immensely proud that our customers compliment us for still having the welcoming feel of a one-off independent, which is why people think of us as a family of restaurants rather than a chain, whilst critics love the authentic rustic cooking.”