Boxpark confirms new site in Camden
Food and retail park firm, Boxpark has confirmed its new site located in Camden, will be open later during the month. Located in Buck Street Market, the site has undergone refurbishments and will be open seven days a week following completion of renovations in late September. The site will operate across three floors, and include 60 independent food and retail traders alongside two bars and a rooftop terrace which is subject to planning permission.
Boxpark is set to feature a tailor made events programme featuring weekly quizzes, comedy nights and live music as well as resident DJ sets. Retail for Places London head of retail Samantha Bain-Mollison said: “It’s exciting to see Boxpark’s plans for moving forward to revitalise the space for all”
More information on Boxpark site can be found here.
Westons Cider shop and tasting room relocates to Much Marcle Mill
Westons cider has expanded its visitor experience at Herefordshire Mill. The cidermaker has relocated its shop and opened doors earlier this month on the 3 September. Weston’s bigger visitor space positioned a short walk from the original site, offered immersive tasting experiences including ‘Guess the Cider’ alongside ‘Tour Guide Specials’ and offered an exclusive opportunity to sample newer and limited edition products.
The newly open bar and tasting room also showcases a bar, counter and table tops which are crafted from reclaimed oak cider vats. The site currently holds a brand portfolio value of £200m at retail sales value and is led by Stowford Press and Henry Westons.
The opening of the new site coincided with the Autumn Harvest, a key time for the brand to showcase how its cider is made.
Westons cider managing director Helen Thomas said: “Our fantastic heritage ciders are continuing to experience phenomenal growth.
“With the opening of our new shop and tasting room, we are excited to invite everyone to experience our expanded space and enjoy our exceptional portfolio firsthand.”
The Mill is run by the fourth generation of the Westons family, utilising traditional methods throughout their cider making process and sources apples from Stowford Press and Henry Westons brands.
Thomas continued: “This investment enables us to continue to tap into the growing interest in the category and accommodate larger groups eager to explore the traditional, authentic ciders of this beautiful corner of England.”
Carpenters Arms in Hammersmith announces third site acquired by Wren pubs
Publican and proprietor of the Surprise in Chelsea and Notting Hill’s Walmer Castle, Jack Greenhall has announced the take over the Carpenter’s Arms in Hammersmith. The announcement, made on 31 July 2024 coincided with the formation of Wren pubs, an independent group of London freehouses. The Carpenter’s Arms, a nineteenth-century pub is located near St Peter’s Square on the Hammersmith and Chiswick border.
The site showcases a garden and private dining space, and will holds most of the current interior in order to uphold the history of the building. Menus are set to be refreshed to offer modern British cooking with a varied drinks menu focused on pioneering independent brands. Wren pubs also utilizes fifth generation Wiltshire-based butchers Walter Rose & Sons as well as selected wines from Wanderlust Wine, supplying sustainable wines from smaller family estates.
Jack Greenall states: “Characterful and timeless, The Carpenter’s Arms is a gem of a pub and makes for a very special addition to the Wren Pubs family. He continues: “It’s a hugely exciting time as we officially announce the formation of Wren Pubs, a people-first brand that focuses on community, quality and above all enjoyment.” Ongoing events will be showcased at the Carpenter’s Arms along with diverse speakers and themed talks, taking inspiration from the Walmer Castle in Ledbury Road London and The Surprise on Chelsea’s Christchurch Terrace, both sites taken over by Jack and utilized to enhance community spirit.
Red Engine set to open its 14th UK Flight Club in Oxford
Red Engine is set to open its 14th venue on 22 November this year in Oxford, with the fifth inclusive of franchise openings, and three more planned before the end of the year.
Flight Club is a fairground themed and showcases a social darts experience. The new site will be located on the terrace of the Westgate Shopping Centre and is set to showcase a varied craft cocktail menu and sharing dishes. The venue will also showcase social darts playing areas with a bar and seating options as well as terraces and DJ sets.
Red Engine partners estate will stand at 30 with the new introduction of the Oxford site. Flight Club Philadelphia, Washington and Melbourne are also set to open within 2025 with newer locations confirmed throughout New York, Dublin and also St Louis.
The menu at Flight Club Oxford will showcase sourdough pizzas paddles, burgers and loaded fries. Drinks options will also include signature cocktails, adapted classics as well as cocktail slushies. Sharing trophy cocktails will also be served in trophy cup style. The style of the venue will utilize fairground theme with elements of a traditional British pub. With features to include lighting that blinks in time to music, panelling, prints and acknowledgements to Oxford’s history. Other elements include clocks and barometers of varying sizes on the walls, re worked Victorian portraits as well as reclaimed antique furniture pieces and a fairground carousel horse. The venue is also 7,000 square feet with 11 oches and a capacity of up to 250 people.
Flight Club CEO and co-founder Steve Moore said: “We can’t wait to bring the Flight Club experience to Oxford. It’s an incredible city with so much history, so we’re really excited to become a part of that, but also, we believe that Flight Club offers something truly special and unique that the city hasn’t seen before.” He continued: “We consider ourselves experts when it comes to bringing groups of friends together and showing them a seriously good time, so the people of Oxford should brace themselves for what’s to come. The Flight Club party is about to go off and we couldn’t be more excited!”
