In the run-up to Christmas, London is a vibrant and busy place and there are lots of new restaurant options to try. Over the past couple of years DWD have become increasingly involved in providing planning advice to food and beverage operators in London. This article provides a short summary of some of our recent favourites.
In September 2021 The Avocado Show opened the doors of its first UK restaurant just metres away from Oxford Circus. The restaurant focuses on trendy and stylish meals and needed a frontage to match. DWD successfully secured permission for a green fascia, pink outside lounge chair and the brand’s trademark avocado projecting sign.
DWD has also secured a number of consents over the last year for ‘3 Henrietta St’, which recently opened in Covent Garden. The Grade II listed former office, within a Conservation Area, now provides a range of dining experiences across 4 floors with brands such as El Takoy, Lilly’s Café, The Gentlemen Baristas and Pivot. For this project DWD were required to vary the original consent secured by the landlord to facilitate the use of the building for multiple brands; to vary the mechanical ventilation strategy to secure approval for external equipment; listed building consent for internal and external alterations; and advertisement consent.
DWD has also worked with The Gentlemen Baristas to advise them on planning for two further new openings in 2021. This included their flagship coffee shop located in a Grade II Listed building at 162 Piccadilly and their Mayfair coffee shop. At both units, DWD secured approval for alterations to the shop front and advertisement consent. At 162 Piccadilly, listed building consent was also secured for internal works.
In the Summer of 2020 Dubai-based Turkish restaurant chain Bosporus began trading in Leicester Square. DWD secured permission for a large area of outside seating for over 80 guests, rooftop plant equipment and advertisement consent. The design of this frontage needed to compliment its position within Leicester Square.
DWD have also recently worked on Happy Bar and Grill between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square; Costa Coffee on Edgware Road and Voodoo Rays in Peckham.
If you would like more information on DWD’s planning work for food and beverage operators, please contact Emma Penson or James Smith.