Exclusive – Inception Group to open Covent Garden Market Building flagship site: Inception Group, the London hospitality group known for its immersive venues, is to open a new flagship site in Covent Garden’s historic Market Building. The opening, which will be on the former The Crusting Pipe site, is set to be a flagship for the company’s Mr Fogg’s Tavern concept. Due to open this summer, the new Mr Fogg’s Tavern will occupy circa 4,500 square feet of space, with 130-covers. The venue will feature the brand's signature Victorian-style interiors, alongside a 65-seater courtyard housed within the world-famous Market Building, “making the most of the location’s iconic surroundings”. Charlie Gilkes, co-founder of Inception Group, said: “It’s a huge honour to be opening one of our tavern concepts in such a heritage location, and we are very grateful to Shaftesbury Capital for the opportunity. There are so many stunning, original features in this beautiful, listed building, and we are really looking forward to welcoming Londoners and visitors from beyond this summer.” Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at landlord Shaftesbury Capital, said: “The signing of Mr Fogg’s within the historic Market Building represents a strong addition to Covent Garden's food and beverage offer. This location is an excellent fit for Inception Group, and we look forward to welcoming them later this year.” The flagship site will also join other Inception Group venues across the Shaftesbury Capital portfolio, including Cahoots in Kingly Court, Soho, and Mr Fogg’s Tavern on St Martin's Lane in Covent Garden. Inception currently operates 15 sites across the capital. Last summer, the company opened Bunga 90, a completely reimagined concept centred around the 1990s, on its former Bunga Bunga site in Covent Garden.

Exclusive – Wren Pubs acquires freehold of two of its London pubs, sites generating turnover in excess of £10m: Wren Pubs, the independent London hospitality group founded by Jack Greenall, a scion of the Greenall Whitley brewing family, has acquired the freehold of two of its London pubs – The Carpenter’s Arms and the Walmer Castle – which it said marks a “significant milestone in the group’s long-term growth and investment strategy”. The company said that the acquisition reflects the group’s confidence in the London pub market, as well as its commitment to investing in “well-run venues built on exceptional hospitality, community spirit and thoughtful design”.  The company said that The Carpenter’s Arms, on the Hammersmith-Chiswick border, and the Walmer Castle in Notting Hill are well-established pubs with loyal local followings. Since taking on the leases, Wren said it has focused on operational improvements, sensitive refurbishments and strengthening the food and drinks offer, driving strong trading performance across both sites. Alongside its third venue, The Surprise in Chelsea, the group’s three pubs now generate turnover in excess of £10m, with like-for-like revenue up 20% year on year in December. Greenall said: “Buying the freehold of both pubs gives us long-term security and flexibility and allows us to invest with confidence. These are sites we believe in – they’re rooted in their neighbourhoods, trading well and have real potential for the future. Owning the freehold means we can continue to evolve the offer while safeguarding what makes each pub special.” The company said that while it will continue to operate a “carefully curated portfolio”, the move to freehold ownership signals a “clear commitment to the long-term future of its existing pubs and the growth of the group”. The company said: “The move reflects a broader strategy to secure ownership of key sites and invest with confidence. There are no immediate plans for major changes to either pub, with the focus remaining on operational consistency, quality and long-term growth.” Both freehold purchases were brokered by James Grimes of AG&G.

Individual Restaurants set to start expanding premium pizza concept Forbici: Individual Restaurants, the Restaurant Bar & Grill and Piccolino operator, is to start expanding its premium pizza concept Forbici. The company launched the concept in the former Betfred site in Manchester’s Cross Street in April last year. Now, the company is set to bring Forbici to Sheffield. Individual Restaurants is converting an office in St Paul’s Square, close to the Winter Garden in the city, with an opening planned for late spring. The company said: “Since opening in Manchester, Forbici has quickly built a loyal following, attracting praise from both guests and industry figures alike. While plans for the Sheffield restaurant are still being worked through, the team is clear on one thing: this will be something completely unique to the city, created with the same respect for Neapolitan tradition that defines the Forbici experience. The Sheffield opening will continue that philosophy, combining Neapolitan craft with scientific fermentation and precision to deliver the new era of pizza. Rather than replicating Manchester, the restaurant will be designed specifically for Sheffield and its food scene.” Andrew Garton, chief executive of Individual Restaurants, said: “Our Manchester opening showed there's a real appetite for pizza done properly. We’re incredibly proud of the response so far, and Sheffield feels like a natural next step for Forbici. While plans are still evolving, what we can promise is something energetic, built upon craft, rooted in true Neapolitan culture and created specifically for the city.”