VanMoof and Carousel make the move to Seven Dials

Creative hub Carousel, and VanMoof, the Dutch designer bike brand, have both launched at Seven Dials.

This is VanMoof’s first site in the UK and a West End flagship site for Carousel.

Located at 5-11 Shorts Gardens, the 1,600 sq ft VanMoof store features a showroom and a downstairs workshop for VanMoof bike repairs.

Test rides of the brand’s three exclusive models are available, allowing customers to take a VanMoof bike and explore Seven Dials.

Adjacent to VanMoof, Carousel has opened on 9-11 Shorts Gardens, taking a 2,000 sq ft.

The family-run business opened in Marylebone in 2014 as a permanent home for creative production company, Shuttlecock Inc.

Since launching, the creative hub has hosted a revolving programme of press events, brand activations, private parties, guest chef collaborations, workshops and art exhibitions.

Carousel: Seven Dials is split over two floors and combines exposed brickwork with plain white walls and raw concrete features. Design and fit out of each installation is co-ordinated by Carousel’s in-house team alongside the incoming brand or operator.

Two large display windows fill the width of the ground floor, while glass tiles in the floor illuminate the white box basement below.

Sam Bain-Mollison, head of retail at Shaftesbury, said: “Seven Dials is home to some of the capital’s most exciting shops, restaurants, theatres and hotels, offering products and experiences that either can’t be found elsewhere or are created bespoke.

“They create a unique shopping experience in the heart of the West End of London that is unlike any other and VanMoof and Carousel both add to this.

“VanMoof’s design focused approach to the city bike will strongly appeal to Seven Dials residents and visitors alike, many of whom are interested in style, design and innovative or disruptive products being brought to market. The addition of Carousel will bring a vast range of creative activities, shows, events and installations on top of the existing offer.”

Leigh Richards, store manager and brand development manager for VanMoof UK, added: “We are delighted to launch this first store in the UK and expand the VanMoof brand.

“We are reinventing the whole cycling experience, from buying, to repairing, to recovering and this modern showroom in busy Seven Dials is the perfect place to introduce customers to our unique way of doing things.”

Ed Templeton, a co-founder at Carousel, commented: “Located right in the heart of the West End and one of London’s busiest shopping districts, Seven Dials’ vibrant central London neighbourhood is the perfect location for Carousel’s next site. We are delighted to become part of such an attractive, creative area and look forward to helping the exciting brands that we work with make some serious noise.”

JLL and Nash Bond represented Shaftesbury in both deals. Carousel dealt direct. VanMoof were represented by CBRE.

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