Shaftesbury PLC has today announced that café brand 26 Grains will take a 249 sq ft site in Neal’s Yard, Seven Dials, located opposite Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels and Neal’s Yard Remedies. It will also be situated close to the recently opened concept café, Free Range People and is due to open in May.
Grains-based cafe
26 Grains was started by Alex Hely-Hutchinson to create the West Ends first grains-based café. Porridge is the primary focus but also sits alongside muesli, granola, risotto and salads on the menu, which will be served from 8am to 5pm. Following a successful run of pop-up venues, Seven Dials will be the first permanent location for the brand and will have space for approximately 12 covers. In addition, 26 Grains is set to host evening events in conjunction with other local businesses, such as food workshops and supper clubs.
Free Range People
26 Grains joins Free Range People, who opened a 330 sq ft site in late March and showcase artisan baking produce, as well as other Farmers Market style goods, all sourced from small UK businesses. The café employs trained baristas and sells a range of sandwiches, beverages and confectionery, plus cakes and pastries.
Both new brands have signed a one year short term lease initially which is in keeping with the strategy set by Shaftesbury PLC to grow original and innovative concepts, using the strength of Neal’s Yard as an incubator location to nurture brands within Seven Dials. Homeslice, originally a street food vendor, opened its first physical site in Neal’s Yard in March last year and has gone on to become a hugely successful brand with a significant following.
Distinctive additions
Commenting on the arrival of Free Range People and 26 Grains at Neal’s Yard, Charles Owen, Seven Dials Portfolio Manager at Shaftesbury, said: “26 Grains and Free Range People are two distinctive additions to our dining mix. Signing brands such as these is an important part of the heritage of Seven Dials, which, as well as being home to leading international brands and their flagship stores, also has some of the most interesting dining concepts in London.”
Seven Dials
Seven Dials is home to over 150 shops, including international flagships and concept stores, renowned beauty and grooming salons as well as over 50 vibrant cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs. The area comprises Monmouth Street, Earlham Street, Neal Street, Shorts Gardens, Neal’s Yard, Endell Street, Shelton Street, Mercer Street and the Seven Dials monument. Combined with two luxury hotels, five theatres, two private members clubs, a large number of apartments and offices, including the UK headquarters of Facebook, Seven Dials is a unique retail and leisure destination in the heart of London.