The evolution of the retail and restaurants @ haysontheriver_Se1 got underway this year with a summer pop up run by the wonderful team at Bermonseybarkitchen.

Due to its continued success, it has morphed twice, once into an autumn designed pop up and now into the most stunning festive winter bar.  Covered by the beautiful, glassed roof, it’s “rain proof” outside seating really is the perfect place for drinks @Christmas2021.

This is a great example of a pop up being used to place make and set a tone for the future F&B lettings within the Estate. Throughout the year, the bar has been busy attracting a new demographic to Hays Galleria, which further highlights the massive opportunity available to those brands looking to expand on the Southbank.

There are several sites at Hays Galleria for new restaurants in 2022, which seem fitting, as The Galleria is located on the site of a brew house dating back to 1651. This was then converted into a Wharf in 1840 which was nicked names the “Larder of London” as it saw 80% of the dry produce imported to London passing through the Wharf. It therefore feels rights that we are looking to bring more great quality food and drink back to the heart of Hays Galleria.

The instruction at London Bridge is a good example of how the BGP teams work together and for further information with regard new opportunities for retail, restaurant and leisure please contact @Tracey Pollard and @Sophie Moorcroft.

And for more information on our lease consultancy please contact Dan@brucegillinghampollard.com and Will@brucegillinghampollard.com

The fashion set are back partying and The Maine, Hanover Square was the place to be seen.

Whilst not opening to the public until the 15th November, The Maine played host to the British Vogue’s and Self-Portrait party last week, guests including the  brand’s newest campaign star, supermodel Irina Shayk and Lila Moss, Little Simz, Elfie Reigate, Clara Amfo and Liam Payne, while the likes of Sabrina Elba, Neelam Gill and Jean Campbell wore pieces from Self-Portrait’s.

Built in 1720, 20 Hanover Square is the only surviving Georgian ‘Grade II’ listed building on the newly renovated garden square, much of which was dug up for air raid shelters during the Second World War.  Redeveloped by Great Portland Estate, as part of a mixed-use building, combining office, retail and restaurant uses, the development and courtyard links Hanover Square and Bond Street.

Montreal gastropreneur, Joey Ghazal, and his designer Shayne Brady have brought new glamour to the restaurant trading over 3 levels, whilst the new Medici Courtyard is set to be the place to be seen, as our love of external dining continues to grow, whatever the weather.

Charlie Catterall of Etch acted for The Maine, whilst Woody Bruce of Bruce Gillingham Pollard acted for Great Portland Estates.

Independent restaurant group Tattu has confirmed its expansion into London and will open its fifth site at Outernet’s The Now Building located in the heart of the city on Denmark Street this winter.

Established in 2015, the group opened its first restaurant in Manchester’s Spinningfields district, followed by sites in Leeds, Birmingham and Edinburgh, offering contemporary cuisine inspired by traditional Chinese flavours and ingredients, curated by executive chef Andrew Lassetter.

Work has now commenced on Tattu London’s landmark 220-cover site, which will offer guests an elevated dining experience with panoramic views of the capital from its position on The Now Building’s spectacular rooftop and terrace.

Joyce Wang and her award-winning international luxury interior design practice, Joyce Wang Studio, based in London and Hong Kong, has developed the design concept for the restaurant which will be an evolution of the brand’s unique ethos, fusing beautiful, meaningful design with sensory exploration.

The Now Building will feature a first of its kind public atrium containing an immense four-storey high digital canvas. Bruce Gillingham Pollard represented both parties in securing a deal that demonstrates great confidence in the bounce back of hospitality in central London.

Richard Metcalfe, Group COO of Outernet Global, said: “The vision for Outernet is to boldly embrace the creative expression of Denmark Street and its rich history of culture, art and music. We wanted to provide a platform to celebrate leading independent brands that share that sense of expression and individuality. Tattu encapsulates this completely.

“The restaurant group brings a unique approach to dining, offering guests an impeccable interpretation of the art of hospitality. It’s built an impressive reputation in the UK for consistently pushing both culinary and design boundaries and we cannot wait to welcome Tattu to Outernet London.”

Please speak to Rupert Bentley-Smith for all Outernet enquiries and Thea Rowe for all Tattu enquiries.

Boom: Battle Bar, the adventure bar concept from the team behind adventure park franchise Flip Out, has secured a site at the Ram Quarter development in Wandsworth, south London. The company has agreed a deal with developer Greenland UK to join the scheme, which is seeing the former home of London pub retailer Young’s being transformed into a leisure and experience-led retail destination. Boom: Battle Bar has taken a 10,000 square foot spot on the development’s riverside promenade, Barley Walk, overlooking the River Wandle. The company has taken a 15-year lease and is set to open the site later this year. The business will join London independent brewer Sambrook’s as well as Strike bowling, Mai Thai Deli and Schooner bar along with Backyard Cinema, fine dining restaurant London Stock, Story Coffee and MoreYoga. Boom: Battle Bar chief executive Elliott Shuttleworth said: “There’s a real buzz about the reopening of London’s nightlife, and we can’t wait to get people back together and give them a night out to remember at Ram Quarter.” Boom: Battle Bar offers games such as axe throwing, augmented darts, beer pong and shuffleboard alongside a central bar and street food-style offerings. Its move to Ram Quarter is part of its expansion drive, building on its current sites in Cardiff and Norwich and the company also has sites lined up in Liverpool, Lakeside, The O2, Oxford, Aldgate East, Eastbourne, Swindon, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Sophie Moorcroft acted on behalf of Greenland and said, “ we are delighted to add Boom: Battle Bar to our line up because it adds to the dynamic mix which BGP and Greenland have worked hard over the last fews years to create. We believe Boom: Battle Bar will attract a new audience to the development whilst providing another reason to visit Ram Quarter.

For further information, please contact Sophie Moorcroft

Acting on behalf of Hammerson, Bruce Gillingham Pollard have secured three new lettings to Wingstop in Bullring, Birmingham, Cabot Circus, Bristol and Oracle in Reading.

Wingstop opened their first London site on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End in 2018. With 1,500 branches in the US, they are now set to open 5 new sites, and are venturing beyond the capital. There has been a flurry of interest in sites outside of London since COVID19, as operators want to broaden their consumer demographics and have a newly found appreciation for locations outside of the West End.

In Bullring, Birmingham they have taken the former EAT, sitting beside Hai Di Lao and Discovery Adventure Golf. This cluster of new brands has repositioned the external F&B offer in Bullring, replacing the likes of EAT, Jamie’s Italian and Forever 21.

Sophie Moorcroft who acted for the Landlord  said “by replacing failed retail and restaurant brands, with new innovative and best in class operators, we’ve secured a mix which really appeals to generation Z. This is vital, if we want to get the younger consumer back into shopping centre post lockdown.”

In Cabot Circus, Bristol, Wingstop have taken the ground floor of the old  Dorothy Perkins, close to Zara and Urban Outfitters,  highlighting how retail and restaurant tenants can support each other in driving footfall and creating a demographic which is relevant to a specific consumer.

As the market recovers from Covid, the industry can expect to see some exciting independents emerge, taking advantage of the lower rents and fitted units. Seizing this opportunity is The Bok Shop, a free-range fried chicken and vegan fried chikn shop, originally from Brighton. They are championing free-range fried chicken burgers, wings and tenders with an equal focus on vegan creations and home-made sauces.

The Bok Shop revenues have surged in 2020 due to the success they achieved from the delivery platforms including their own purpose-built app, ‘Cluck & Collect by The Bok Shop’. Now, with existing sites in Brighton, Croydon and Eastbourne, the team intend on rolling out to get to 10 operational sites within 24 months. These sites will range from 30-100 cover restaurants to counter style takeaway and delivery sites.  Having just secured £1.2 million in funding from a private equity group, their ambitions of an aspirational rollout can be realised.

The menu features contemporary twists on nostalgic street style food with influences from Asia, Southern U.S.A and London. Bok Shop also has an ‘all you can drink brunch’ event that runs on weekends and has proved to be very popular with students and young professionals.

Jamie O’Mara, one of the founders states “We’ve lived and breathed The Bok Shop since opening the doors in Brighton in 2017, the funding now secured allows us to expand and live out its potential. We feel there is a gap in the market for a quality chicken inspired offer like ours, what Honest Burger has done to burgers, or Pizza Pilgrims has done with Pizza. We want to do that for chicken.”

Harry Cody-Owen, from Bruce Gillingham Pollard who is acting on behalf of The Bok Shop states, “The Bok Shop will be one of the next generation of restaurants to emerge from the pandemic as a success and I am delighted to be involved in the roll out. They have a great team and a proven model, so if you have any sites in high footfall areas that are around 2,500 sq ft then get in touch!”.

It is great to welcome internationally renowned London florist McQueen’s, a global name in luxury floral design to North Audley Street just in time for Christmas. Their flagship store situated in the heart of the West End will be the UK’s largest floral emporium. The 2,500 sq ft store will display an array of beautiful flowers and their international flower school will be launched in the new year, hosting workshops from one day through to five week vocational courses.

McQueen’s joins existing retailers on the street such as Duck & Dry, JAB Boxing, Mercato Metropolitano and Joe & The Juice to name a few.