French macaron maker opens expanded store at The Royal Exchange
French pâtissier Ladurée has expanded at The Royal Exchange in the City of London, taking a 556 sq ft unit on a 10-year lease.
The Parisian brand, which has been open at The Royal Exchange since September 2020, has moved to an external-facing unit on the Threadneedle side of the building.
Founded in 1862, Ladurée has 10 UK outlets and a presence in over 20 countries worldwide. As well as macarons, the brand also offers chocolates, pastries, and gift assortments.
Also arriving at The Royal Exchange is Poco Matcha, a Turkish matcha tea operator with five cafés in Istanbul, which will open its first UK location on the Cornhill side of the building. Poco Matcha has signed a new 10-year lease for the outlet.
Joe Swindells, asset management and development director of The Ardent Companies UK, said: “Securing this renewed commitment from Ladurée for a new outlet, and welcoming Poco Matcha to the scheme, underlines the ongoing demand from food and beverage operators at The Royal Exchange. The iconic destination is a must-have location for any luxury brand looking to capitalise on the City of London’s resurgence as a retail and social hub, and we look forward to Ladurée and Poco Matcha opening their doors to give visitors an even greater range of options.”
The Royal Exchange is home to brands such as Tiffany & Co., Bremont, Omega, Montblanc and Hermès, all of which have made long-term commitments to the scheme. The retail offer is complemented by a range of dining and socialising options – including Engel and Jang, The Libertine, and the Fortnum & Mason bar and restaurant.
The retail element of The Royal Exchange was acquired by US-based real estate investment and asset management firm The Ardent Companies in October 2022. Since the acquisition, Ardent UK, together with asset manager Pave, has implemented a new leasing strategy and refreshed the advisory team, with agents at Bruce Gillingham Pollard and Savills appointed to rejuvenate the tenant mix.