Member Article

Shaftesbury welcomes a flurry of new F&B concepts in Covent Garden

Shaftesbury today announces four flagship restaurant signings and openings in Covent Garden: Slim Chickens, The Patate, Tequila Mockingbird, and the recently launched Mildreds. The new brands add to Shaftesbury’s comprehensive day to evening offer for visitors and office workers returning to the capital.

• Slim Chickens, the rapidly growing American dining brand operated in the UK by Boparan Restaurant Group, is set to make a statement in Covent Garden with the launch of a flagship West End restaurant at 1 Cambridge Circus, the prime location on the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. The 3,874 sq ft space is set over two floors (ground floor and basement) and will offer over 120 covers across two floors and an outside area too.

• The Patate, the French gourmet burger brand, is to make its central London debut in April at 55 Neal Street, Seven Dials, in a 1,000 sq ft site on two floors. The signing is part of the brand’s expansion within the capital and joins their restaurants in Kentish Town and Battersea

• Tequila Mockingbird, the cocktail specialist, is set to unveil its flagship bar in an expansive basement at 42 William IV Street, in the heart of theatreland and underneath The Jones Family Affair who launched late last year. Due to open later this spring, the 3,500 sq ft eclectic concept will be offering an extensive cocktail and brunch menu. Building on its’ regional presence in Wimbledon, Brixton, Clapham and Shoreditch, the Covent Garden site will serve as the central London hub.

• Last month saw the launch of Mildreds, the 100% plant-based restaurant on St Martin’s Lane, replacing a steak restaurant. Adding to the vibrant offer in Covent Garden, Mildreds has built a reputation for pioneering internationally-inspired plant-based dishes.

Julia Wilkinson, Restaurant Director at Shaftesbury, commented: “The West End has woken from its enforced slumber, attracting diners in significant numbers keen to pick-up where they left off almost two years ago. This renewed consumer demand is not lost on operators, many of whom, such as these four latest additions, are focusing on Covent Garden as a prime location in central London. The imminent launch of the Elizabeth Line is a further boost, given how close Covent Garden is to Tottenham Court Road, leading to even greater interest from established operators and innovative new concepts alike. It is great to see the West End, and Covent Garden in particular, bouncing back so strongly.”

Paul Gilligan, Property Director, Boparan Restaurant Group, added: “Slim Chickens is thriving in the UK and we’re incredibly excited by the launch of this flagship site in the West End. At Slim Chickens, our food is cooked fresh to order and everyone is welcome. 1 Cambridge Circus meets our needs perfectly with high footfall and great accessibility from major transport hubs, whilst being in the heart of great shopping and theatres, all of which drive a unique mix of visitors from daytime to evening.”

The news follows a series of signings by Shaftesbury in Seven Dials, including the signing of Ole & Steen, the Danish bakery brand, on Neal Street, Aspirational Brands making its debut London on upper St Martin’s Lane, as well as Chai Guys, From The Ashes BBQ, and Longboys, all of which have recently opened new locations in Seven Dials.

Shelley Sandzer, Hanover Green Retail, and Distrkt represented Shaftesbury. Slim Chickens, Tequila Mockingbird and Mildreds all dealt direct, while CDG Leisure represented The Patate.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Alice Bingley .