Leading International ‘Blended Operation’ Trend
Grand Union, among London’s leading bar groups, has announced the launch of an innovative new BEAN + COCKTAIL + RAZOR concept, opening in Wapping June 2016.
Grand Union Wapping will be an entirely unique space unlike anything that has come before, combining cocktail bar and restaurant with branded specialty coffeehouse and barbershop. Disrupting long-held norms for drinking, dining and socialising, Grand Union’s latest project is set to change the desires of customers and how they use a venue.
Historic Wapping is a fitting backdrop for the union of three of the world’s oldest industries; coffee, bars & grooming. Offering the physical space, established experience and necessary business support, Grand Union will nurture these young companies, allowing them to grow with the brand for future projects.
Having cemented its reputation as the place to go for day to night eating and drinking, Grand Union evolves with this new experiential blended concept. For this new project, Grand Union have teamed up with some of London’s most exciting lifestyle brands; speciality coffeehouse, Vagabond and male grooming brand, Drakes of London.
Adam Marshall, Founder & CEO of Grand Union comments; “We are pioneering a completely new retail/leisure experience. Londoners are constantly on the hunt for innovation and with our new Wapping venture, we think they will be very interested indeed.’
Situated at Thomas More Square, between St Katharine’s Dock and the new London Docks landmark development, Grand Union Wapping will be a grown-up playground for discerning Londoners who want more out of every experience. The concept will fill an impressive 6,700 square foot of space, bucking the speakeasy trend and leading a ‘large-scale revolution’. Additionally, the space will offer mobile office ‘hot-desking’ with wifi & charging ports. A vibrant hub for local workers, weekend brunchers and nightlife devotees, Grand Union Wapping has been designed to transform effortlessly from day to night. The partnerships within Wapping will see premium packaged experiences available, including traditional pizza rolling, coffee & cocktail masterclasses and male grooming workshops.
Designed by KAI interiors, Grand Union Wapping will operate within one wide open space, serving all the different partners operating within. Utilising industrial design elements to create a sophisticated Metropolis-esque theme, the space will feature a central cocktail bar and bustling open kitchen, with classic & comfortable leatherback booth seating area. Poured concrete finishes, mechanical chandeliers, neon lights and machine-like detailing will be juxtaposed with organic graphics, floral motifs, and bright colour accents.
Grand Union is known for its fun, unexpected cocktails, and the Wapping list will be no different. The seasonal cocktail menu will offer the classics alongside modern favourites and signature creations. The food menu at Grand Union Wapping will boast just-out-of-the-oven sourdough pizzas and fresh, New York inspired dishes.
Drakes of London, Grand Union Wapping’s in-house barbershop will provide London’s gentlemen with the perfect experience of high quality male grooming. Traditional beard trims and haircuts will be available within stylish and comfortable surroundings, with guests able to enjoy an Old Fashioned while they sit back and enjoy Drakes of London expert services.
Ray Kahpur of Drakes comments; “We at Drakes cannot wait to work with Grand Union to get the unique concept off the ground. We have been looking to expand for some time and the prospect of working together with Adam Marshall & Grand Union represents a massive opportunity for us to bring our brand to a wider audience”
With three successful shops across the city, Vagabond is one of London’s most loved speciality coffeemakers. Vagabond roasts its own superior coffee and its whole bean and ground coffee available to purchase, together with home brewing equipment. Founders Povilas and Dainoras also have a direct trade relationship with a farm in Colombia, meaning workers are paid higher wages and the quality is constantly checked.
Founder Dainoras Petrauskas is excited about the project; “Together with Drakes of London (Barbers) this will be a completely new and very progressive concept for the hospitality industry. A Bar and Restaurant, a Coffee Shop and a Barber working together under one roof to provide the best possible experience to customers.”