Angel Central welcomes first sports pub

Islington’s Angel Central will open its first purpose-built sports pub and kitchen after hospitality group Maven Leisure continues its London expansion.

Called Northwood, the pub will cover 3,600 sq ft of space on the scheme’s first floor, adjacent to indoor golfing experience Birdies.

Northwood will host 12 ultra high-definition screens and look to elevate Angel Central’s dining and leisure offer alongside anchor tenants Vue and the O2 Academy music venue.

Maven Leisure, which as founded in 2021 by the current owners of ETM Group, currently operates over 15 dining venues and sports bars across the capital, including Goldwood, The Jugged Hare, The Botanist, and rooftop venues Wagtail and Aviary.

The 176-cover Northwood pub will be the group’s first venture into North London, and offer a range of food inspired by classic sports bar options.

Ed Martin, CEO of ETM Group and Maven Leisure, said that Islington had “been on [their] radar for quite some time”.

Louisa Butters, head of retail asset management UK at scheme manager CBRE IM, said: “The signing of Northwood marks a significant moment for Angel Central, further enhancing the scheme’s day-to-night appeal and complementing the existing leisure and F&B operators we have on the first floor. Since the refurbishment, our aim has been to deliver an enriched visitor experience. Building on ETM Group’s ever-popular portfolio of locations across the capital, Northwood fits seamlessly with our vision for the scheme, cementing our position as a prime retail and leisure destination in Islington.”

The news follows reports of the scheme’s performance over the last 12 months, which saw both footfall and sales exceed 2019 figures.