Shaftesbury Capital brings five F&B brands to Covent Garden

Shaftesbury Capital has completed new signings with five food and beverage brands, all of which will be joining the group’s Covent Garden estate in London.

Pizza-by-the-slice concept Carmy’s will make its debut at 1a Monmouth Street this summer, taking a 820 sq ft space. The new concept will offer New York-style pizza slices and will sit on the corner of Shaftesbury Avenue, a key gateway into the Seven Dials neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, Frothee is set to open its second London location at 29 Bedfordbury later this month. Known for its matcha coffee, the viral café concept is taking a 400 sq ft unit, offering a range of matcha and cold foam drinks.

Also joining the Covent Garden estate is JUNK Burger, which has signed for a 1,600 sq ft space at 19 New Row for its third site in the UK, while JUNK Group’s Puffy Cookies is set to open a 1,200 sq ft store at 3 New Row. Following the success of JUNK Burger, Puffy Cookies launched in 2023 and this latest store will become its third in London.

Finally, modern Mediterranean restaurant concept Elia is set to open its first site in the lower level of Covent Garden’s historic, Grade-II listed Market Building. The 520 sq ft restaurant will be adjacent to Chez Antoinette, which recently completed a refurbishment and upsize. Elia will open in the coming months and will be joined by Inception Group’s flagship, which will arrive in the Market Building later this year.

Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “These new signings reflect Covent Garden’s status as a prime location for F&B brands in all stages of development, whether making their debuts or expanding their presence in the UK. Securing key established brands alongside emerging concepts is a key focus of our long-term strategy, to maintain a diverse, world-class line-up which showcases Covent Garden as a leading culinary neighbourhood.”

These new signings follow a period of sustained leasing activity in the neighbourhood. It comes after the opening of Italian dining concept Burro in Floral Court in March, and the news that Buvette is set to make its UK debut at 2 Neal’s Yard next month.