No-go for downtown Reykjavik Hard Rock
Iceland's previous Hard Rock Café was closed in 2005. Photo: Kristinn Ingvarsson
An application to open a new branch of the American restaurant chain Hard Rock Café in central Reykjavik has been rejected by city authorities.
According to Icelandic news website Nútíminn (link in Icelandic), a report from Reykjavik City Council’s planning authorities shows that the share of restaurants and entertainment establishments in central Reykjavik is 53%, above the 50% reference value.
“It is therefore not possible to authorise any more ground-floor street-side restaurants in this area,” the report reads.
The Hard Rock franchise is reportedly very interested in opening again in Iceland and an investor has been found. The announced plan was to open a new restaurant in the premises vacated by the Iða bookshop on Lækjargata in central Reykjavik.
The report does, however, indicate that current quotas for business operations in central Reykjavik are under review.
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The proposed site for the new Hard Rock Café. Screenshot: ja.is
