Fast-growing food hall operator Market Place has opened a flagship venue next door to the Odeon in Leicester Square that is billed as the largest food hall in central London, boasting outlets from 16 traders across five floors.
Choices include Bread Ahead, chicken brand Butchies, Cheeky Burger and Club Mexicana, while the venue also features a bar overlooking Leicester Square and a comedy club called Belly Laughs.
It is the second food hall from Market Place to launch in central London this year following St Paul’s, with another scheduled to open soon in Baker Street. Founded in 2020, the company initially focused on sites around the periphery in Peckham, Harrow, Vauxhall and Hounslow.
Founder Blake Henderson says: “We started Market Place with one neighbourhood site in Peckham and in a few short years it has grown across the city.
“Leicester Square is the biggest leap forward yet. It is one of the most famous squares in the world and we are proud to bring our biggest Market Place yet right to the heart of the West End.
“This flagship is everything Market Place stands for – incredible food, great drinks, live entertainment and a space where Londoners and visitors can celebrate together.”
Market Place’s first regional venue will be in Manchester, where it is taking over the ground floor of the landmark Rylands Building, a listed 1920s edifice on Market Street that was formerly a branch of Debenhams. The food hall is not expected to open until 2027.
