An underground world beneath the streets of London
Lewis Craig recently had the pleasure of a meeting with Ajit Chambers founder of “The Old London Underground Company.” A former banker, Ajit is breathing new life into our disused Tube stations by unlocking the value of historic underground real estate that has largely been forgotten.
The Legacy Project details changes to 26 abandoned or relocated “Ghost Stations” on the London Underground that will allow them to operate as a public and private partnership and bring revenue into London’s economy.
Revamping London’s ghost tube stations
Lewis Craig are delighted to have been introduced to Ajit Chambers and this unique project. Richard Grossman, Managing Partner at Lewis Craig says “we are well positioned to advise on the retail and leisure aspects sharing the same goals as Ajit in helping London boost its economy. With demand for Central London leisure opportunities far outweighing supply, these stations provide innovative space opportunities for galleries, museums, restaurants, clubs, bars and a range of other uses.”
Twickenham sees perfect conversion for Burger King!
Without doubt, our fastest deal in 2012 was the acquisition of 33-35 London Road, Twickenham on behalf of our Burger King franchisee client, Karali Leisure Ltd. The premises comprise approx. 2,000 sq ft at ground floor, with an impressive 30 ft frontage.
Having first viewed with our client on 26 October, the letting completed on 9 November – a pretty impressive 11 working days from start to finish (including obtaining landlord’s consent)!
A 3-week fit-out then followed, with the premises opening on 1 December.
Ben Pistol comments, “From our experience, it is rare when everything comes together in such a short time frame at this time of the year! We are now actively seeking to secure for Karali more high street opportunities, as well as drive thru and shopping centre representation.”
Just Falafel just opened in London’s Covent Garden!
Lunchtime today saw the exciting launch of our client Just Falafel’s first UK restaurant at 1 Monmouth Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, London.
Situated in one of the most prominent sites in Covent Garden, with frontages to Monmouth Street, Neal Street and Shaftesbury Avenue.
The premises comprise a ground floor area of some 350 sq ft, with a similar sized basement area.
Just Falafel have exciting plans for the UK, with this being the first of many openings during 2013. February will see the opening of the next Just Falafel in Hammersmith (Broadway Centre), and Charing Cross Road due to open in March.
We are currently in solicitor’s hands on premises in the West End and Croydon, as well as several other sites under negotiation for franchisees in London, Cambridge, Exeter and Ireland.
As retained advisers to Just Falafel, we are looking to secure more A3 or A5 sites in high footfall locations, ranging from 450-1,000 sq ft.
Please get in touch with Theo Benedyk or Richard Grossman with any interesting ideas by calling us on 020 7009 0480.
Restaurant Barge in Canary Wharf floats to the market!
Lewis Craig are delighted to introduce a rare and exciting restaurant/bar opportunity for sale in the heart of Canary Wharf. The Leven, situated in West India Quay, is set up as a private dining room and forms part of a busy restaurant destination, popular with the surrounding offices.
A unique opportunity in the heart of Canary Wharf, ‘The Leven is Strijd’ (stands for ‘Life is a Struggle’) is a fully licensed seagoing British Registered Restaurant Ship and Bar providing a catering opportunity/business amongst operators such as; Cineworld, Rum & Sugar, Henry’s Cafe/Bar, Browns, La Tasca, Levente, Strada, Weatherspoon, Manhatten Grill, LA Fitness and more on the adjacent Canary Wharf Estate.
The ‘Leven Is Strijd’, traditionally known as a classic Dutch Barge, was built in 1928 in Woubrugge in Holland. She is operated as a private dining and meeting venue providing an intimate and fascinating place to hold business lunches and receptions, cocktail parties, meetings, awaydays and private parties, small weddings and other family celebrations.
Please click here for details of The Leven.
2012 Business Show
The Lewis Craig team had a great couple of days at last weeks Olympia Business Show.
We met some really interesting new contacts as well as being delighted to catch up with many friends and familiar faces.
We had the pleasure of a visit from Rachel Elnaugh, Entrepreneur, Star of Dragons Den Series 1&2 and Business Speaker – www.rachelelnaugh.com
Lewis Craig exhibiting at Olympia Business Show
Lewis Craig will be exhibiting at the Business Startup and Great British Business Show at Olympia on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd November.
Come along and see us at Stand 1240!
To obtain Free Tickets for the Show please click the following link:
Just Falafel update – First few London sites now secured!!
The first few Just Falafel London sites have now been secured..!!
Urgently seeking more in London, Exeter and Cambrige!!
High footfall locations required
450 sqft to 1,000 sqft
A3 or A5
High St, Transport Hubs, Shopping Centres
Please click the above logo, or HERE for our property requirement PDF.
London Calling – Just Falafel Opening soon, Covent Garden
Additional locations in London and across the UK being secured
Dubai-based Just Falafel, one of the Middle East’s most dynamic emerging restaurant brands, launches in London with its flagship store opening in Monmouth St, Covent Garden in November 2012.
Advised by property specialists Lewis Craig and Strutt & Parker, Just Falafel are keen to bring their regional phenomenon with global aspirations to the UK market, aiming to deliver unique flavours ranging from Indian to Mexican, alongside Just Falafel’s biggest seller, the “Original,” a traditional Middle Eastern wrap.
Just Falafel’s London operation has its own central kitchen to satisfy demand for its hand-crafted falafels, and private tastings can be arranged for all serious franchisers. Co-founder Fadi Malas, an entrepreneur with family ties to England as well as Beirut, believes the UK is ready for Just Falafel and the company plans to roll out 200 stores over the next 5 years.
“Factors such as visibility of Emirates and Etihad Airlines in the UK and the allure of Dubai as a holiday destination has increased the affinity between these two markets, and as a homegrown success story from the UAE, Just Falafel aims to be the quick service restaurant of choice across the UK,” Malas concluded.
Currently, Just Falafel is in discussions with potential franchise partners to open multiple outlets across London and UK-wide, with stores opening in Cambridge and Exeter during 2013. Falafel’s popularity is on the rise globally, and research from the UK shows that it could be a serious contender to replace curry as the nation’s favourite food.
Theo Benedyk, Head of Agency at Lewis Craig comments, “We are extremely pleased to have now secured Just Falafel’s first UK restaurant in Covent Garden, and are well underway to securing several further sites in 2012. Just Falafel is an exciting brand with a proven track record, being one of the fastest growing food chains in the Middle East”.
Please click here for our property requirement flyer.
Biothecare Estetika retain Lewis Craig for London acquistions
Since commencing trading in 2008, Biothecare Estetika now operates from over 170 clinics worldwide, with over 12 currently in operation across the UK.
Lewis Craig have been instructed by Biothecare Estetika London to seek suitable premises across London & Greater London, in order to push forward with their exciting expansion plans.
Ben Pistol, heading up the Biothecare London expansion programme, comments, “We are delighted to have been retained by Biothecare Estetika and already have several sites under consideration.”
Please click the logo below for our Property Requirement PDF
Size: Up to 1,500 sq ft at ground floor
Locations: Balham, Bloomsbury, Chiswick, City, Clapham, Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Fulham & Chelsea, Holborn, Kensington, London Bridge, Soho, Victoria
Rent: Max £50,000 pax
Use: A1 or D1
Timing: Immediate
See www.biothecareestetika.com for more details.
Biothecare Estetika is a non-intrusive Beauty centre offering a unique business, bringing unisex treatments to the high street, making the previously unobtainable, obtainable to the general public with a flat-fee rate. Some of the treatments offered include: IPL laser hair removal, cavitation for weight management, radio frequency, mesotherapy, photorejuvenation, cellulite treatments, electrostimulation and pressure therapy.