Property Week held a Q&A with some of the leading names in the food and beverage sector.
See their responses below:
Ted Schama, managing director, Shelley Sandzer What three restaurant or bar concepts should we watch out for this year?• Sidechick – recently opened on James Street next to the original Patty & Bun. • Wing Wing – recently opened flagship on Charing Cross Road, a main entrance to Chinatown, London. • Marugame – soon to open on Middlesex Street and voted a top-14 brand in Japan (above iPhone!).
How confident are you in the sector rebuilding post-Covid? I am very confident that those who have survived up until now will be very well-placed in rebuilding for the following reasons: • Fitted units are often available for no premium and rent-free, meaning they have never been cheaper and offering a rapid return on investment. • Landlords are contributing more than ever, again making a quicker return on investment with a lower risk profile. • To survive, operators have had to adapt, which means not only a more streamlined business but also the creation of new businesses within their business, most notably DIY kits. • Operators now have been granted extra outside dining areas, either by their landlord or council. Although most are of a temporary nature, I believe there will be some permanent conversions that would have more covers than pre-pandemic.
What was the first restaurant or bar you visited after lockdown? The first place I went was Sidechick; it was a soft launch full of other restaurateurs, so it was a great buzz with all of us being together.
