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UPDATE
New dining concept Huckster among new Paddington Central signings New dining concept Huckster is among three food and drinks brands to sign property deals at Paddington Central with developer British Land. Taking inspiration from the late 1980s lower Manhattan street scene, Huckster will serve coffee, cocktails and a selection of street food offers including burgers, sourdough pizza and vegan noodle soup. The 4,700 sq ft space, which has been taken on a 15-year lease, will also house a karaoke bar with booths available for hire for up to 30 people. Lords of Poké has agreed a 10-year lease for 840 sq ft, which will become the brand’s second permanent site after Peckham Levels. It will serve the fresh-cut, Californianinspired poké bowls sourced from sustainably caught fish. Coco di Mama is the third new brand to take space at Paddington Central. The London-based Italian food and coffee operator has signed a 10-year lease for 1,100 sq ft where it will serve six daily changing pasta dishes in addition to specials and breakfast options. Since its launch in 2011, Coco di Mama has opened 20 locations across London.
Tim Haddon, British Land’s head of campus at Paddington Central, said: “This is an exciting moment for Paddington Central as we focus on providing a diverse range of food and beverage options at the campus. Huckster offers a completely different experience to anywhere else in the area and Lords of Poké and Coco di Mama specialise in gourmet grab & go options. “The lettings are testament to our investment in curating a vibrant canal-side destination for the local community, workers and visitors, and further strengthen the campus’ reputation as a leading seven-day-a-week neighbourhood in central London.” The addition of these food and drink brands to Paddington Central form part of British Land’s strategy to transform the campus into a vibrant, mixed-use, seven-day-a-week destination on the Grand Union Canal.
Honest Burgers secures £17m refinance deal Honest Burgers has secured an increased funding package from its banking partner Santander to help fund its growth pipeline. The 25-strong company, which recently secured its first site in Bristol and is in advanced talks on a site in Manchester, told BigHospitality’s sister site MCA that the refinancing totals £17m, including a new capex facility. Santander have backed the business since the start, and this represents the fifth increase in facilities given by the bank to the company.
Honest has so far opened regional sites in Cambridge and Reading, and due to the “phenomenal success” of those two it is now looking at further expansion outside London.
Honest said it was delighted to have completed the refinancing with Santander and continue to partner the bank on its next stage of growth.
The group which has an opening in London Bridge already lined up for this year, is believed to be looking to open three to four sites outside the capital over the next 12 months.
The company recently completed on its third site outside of London after securing the unit at 21-23 Clare Street in Bristol.
The group’s first site of 2018 opened on 22 January on the former Feng Sushi site at Royal Festival Hall. It has 65 covers internally and 10 covers outside.
The new site, which will have 75 covers spread over two floors, is expected to open towards the end of this year.
Last month, the company promoted Gary Mann, its chief financial officer, to the position of joint managing director.
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