A flood of new food halls is rising across the country this year, from Newcastle via Manchester and Birmingham – where two halls open in May – to London, where no fewer than three are launching in quick succession this spring.
Newcastle’s Freight Island, scheduled to open in the autumn, is billed as the ‘largest single food & beverage venue in a UK city centre’. The £16million development occupies a 60,000 sq ft site in Eldon Square that takes in the roof of the former Debenhams department store. Inspired by Tivoli in Copenhagen and New York’s Coney Island, it will also operate as a ‘cultural hub’ with music and entertainment alongside such features as sustainable ‘wine tanks’ led by single producers.
Dan Morris, the company’s co-founder and MD, says: “Newcastle is the perfect location to take Freight Island to the next level. The city is growing rapidly, and Freight Island will play an important part in that by nurturing local talent, whilst bringing our vibrant mix of food, drink, music, and entertainment to this incredible city.”
In Manchester – where the original Freight Island launched five years ago – the House of Social food hall will open this summer in First Street, from student accommodation specialist Vita. Jake Atkinson, hired from Mackie Mayor and Altrincham Market to run it, has lined up a roster of independent traders including much-loved regional brands and a ‘cult London outfit’.
He says: “It’s such an untapped location, we’ve got this beautiful building with loads of natural light from soaring arched windows and also some gorgeous interior details with that curving staircase – it’s going to have so much character. I can’t wait to get started.”
In Birmingham, two separate food halls are due to open in May: St Paul’s Market in the Jewellery Quarter from Independent Birmingham, a 500-seat food and entertainment hub over two floors of a 1950 warehouse, showcasing six indie kitchens and two bars; and Society at One Colmore Square, accommodating 350 guests, five kitchens and a bar, with an outdoor terrace.
In London, the first of three food halls opened last week: Market Halls Paddington, the group’s fourth opening, which occupies a large site at the Paddington Square development. Its eight traders are: South American-inspired From the Ashes Parrilla; Farm Girl, making its food hall debut; Souvlaki by Opso; Brides tacos; BAO Night Market; Gopal’s Corner by Roti King; Black Bear Burger; and 20ft Fried Chicken.
Next off the block on April 10 is the long-planned BoxHall City, an offshoot of BoxPark, which has taken over the Edwardian Metropolitan Arcade near Liverpool Street station and offers 14 kitchens including a rotating guest-chef spot. The launch line-up includes Sourdough Sophia, Eggslut, Farsi, Gaucho Go and Burger & Beyond.
Later this spring, Corner Corner will open in the middle of the £4billion regeneration scheme at Canada Water, offering a mix of food & drink, events space and music. Operated by Kerb in partnership with Broadwick Live, the people behind clubs such as Drumheads and Paintworks, its special features include what is billed as ‘London’s biggest vertical farm’, from Harvest London.
