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The Oystermen are gearing up to launch their first permanent site in the West End

The renowned seafood duo behind The Oystermen are set to cut the ribbon on their first-ever permanent site this summer in Covent Garden.

Matt Lovell and Rob Hampton will build on their successful pop-up seafood bar and kitchen at the Sampler in South Kensington with their new site on Henrietta Street.

Serving up ‘top-flight’ oysters sourced from UK farmers, the pair have promised a menu providing oysters delivered in ‘every way’ including freshly-shucked to half-shell and Cajun-battered.

The new restaurant in London’s West End will also complement its oyster bar with other seafood fare including crabs, bowls of mussels and daily fish specials on its all-day menu.

Ahead of the launch of their first venue, Co-founder Matt Lovell said: “The launch of The Oystermen “Seafood Bar & Kitchen” is the next natural step in delivering our fun, friendly and fresh concept to the wider London audience.

“We have spent a lot of time sourcing brilliant products and ingredients through independent suppliers, and also in selecting the team that will deliver only the best consistently.”

The Oystermen have been operating since 2014 when the hospitality professionals came up with the idea after shucking oysters together at Matt’s wedding.

Since then the pair have embarked on a number of pop-up appearances at events around London, culminating in their ten month residency at The Sampler last year, which was given the affectionate moniker ‘South Kensington-on-Sea’.

Rob added: “The feedback and footfall at our events, and most notably our residency in ‘South Kensington-on-Sea’, has given us the extra confidence in being able to translate our vision into reality.

“As a team, we are more than excited to take the brand and business to the next level and relish the opportunity to continue growing and developing in such a strong market. Bring on ‘Covent Garden-on-Sea’!”