A new Italian cafe is set to replace Starbucks on the ground floor of the giant Selfridges store in the Bullring.

As revealed by the Mail in July, the American giant pulled out of its space in August.

A white hoarding now surrounds the space with a sign detailing news of the replacement.

It says that a San Carlo Cafe will open there in October and it is sure to be a more distinctive feel to Selfridges for those looking for something different.

San Carlo already has a Gran Cafe at Selfridges in Manchester, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.

It was recently awarded the prestigious title of Les Routiers Cafe of the Year and distinguishes itself from the San Carlo restaurants as being a “different experience” offering informal dining in a chic interior with marble tables and pale blue leather seating.

Dishes include full English breakfasts and brunches, burgers, fish cakes, smoothies and desserts.

The site of the new San Carlo Cafe
The site of the new San Carlo Cafe

The restaurant chain started out in Birmingham with its first restaurant in Temple Street and now has Fumo restaurant in Waterloo Street.

It is investing £1million in a second Fumo on the top floor of Selfridges where it is replacing the former Searcys Balcony Bar and Brasserie.

The new Fumo is due to open in October, when it will serve Italian ingredients mainly sourced from produce markets in Milan using small plates known as ‘cicchetti’.

San Carlo Cafe will replace Starbucks in Selfridges
San Carlo Cafe will replace Starbucks in Selfridges

The ground floor cafe site was originally used by Italian coffee chain Caffe Nero before it was replaced by Starbucks.

Since leaving Selfridges, Caffe Nero has opened multiple stores across the city centre including the Mailbox, Bullring / Link Street, Grand Central, Lower Temple Street and Brindleyplace.

Although Starbucks has quit Selfridges, the multinational has just opened a new store in a former Carphone Warehouse on the corner of Cannon Street and Cherry Street and its many other city centre sites and outlets still include the Bullring.

What is San Carlo?

Carlo and son Marcello Distefano
Carlo and son Marcello Distefano

Founded in Birmingham by Barnt Green-based former hairdresser Carlo Distefano, The San Carlo group is celebrating 25 years in Birmingham.

Carlo opened his first Italian restaurant on Temple Street in 1992.

Starbucks in Selfridges closed in August 2017
Starbucks in Selfridges closed in August 2017

Twenty years later in 2012, San Carlo opened a neighbouring Fumo restaurant and bar round the corner on Waterloo Street – named Les Routiers Restaurant of the Year 2015 for “exceptional food and impeccable service.”

San Carlo in Temple Street, Birmingham
San Carlo in Temple Street, Birmingham

There are currently 17 San Carlo Group restaurants in the UK as well as restaurants overseas in Qatar, Bahrain and Bangkok.

What else has been happening in Selfridges?

Pan n Ice at Selfridges

Last week a new ice cream business called Pan N Ice opened on the ground floor just past Pret A Manger .

Co-founded by 23-year-old former University of Birmingham student Henry Milroy, Pan N Ice uses cold plates at minus 25C to create £5.50 ice cream treats in one minute.

Other recent openings include burger and ice cream store Archie’s and Izza Pizza , founded by Aktar Islam from the city-based Lasan group.