Woking welcomes four new F&B brands

Woking Shopping, which compromises the Peacocks Centre and Wolsey Place, has announced the signing of four new F&B operators totalling over 15,500 sq ft.  Three independent local operators have taken space – Island House, Black & Irons Bar & Grill and Duke’s Bar & Deli – complementing Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger, which has opened its first restaurant outside London in Woking.

·       Island House is currently fitting out a 3,514 sq ft restaurant and bar in Jubilee Square.  Founded by restaurant group Rarebreed Dining, Island House Woking is the sister restaurant to the brand’s original site on Reigate High Street.  Influenced by fresh, global cuisine and inspired by local producers, Island House will serve a breakfast to evening menu, complemented by a comprehensive cocktail list, beers and wines.  The restaurant is set to open in July. 

·       Black & Irons Bar & Grill is situated on Commercial Way and consists of a 1,307 sq ft ground floor and 3,386 sq ft first floor.  Owned and run by Carl Whiting-Gorley, Black & Irons specialises in chargrill fine steaks, but also serves a comprehensive all-day menu.  In addition, the restaurant has a late licence for Thursday to Saturday and has a dedicated bar area.  The restaurant is fully open, serving customers inside and outside.  Whiting-Gorley also owns the Black and White Coffee Co on Middle Walk in Woking Shopping which has established a loyal following since it opened in September 2019. 

·       Duke’s Bar & Deli occupies a 1,100 sq ft unit on the ground floor of Dukes Court, a 224,000 sq ft office development two minutes’ walk from Woking train station.  The front of Dukes Court has been extensively remodelled to create a landscaped pedestrianised public plaza with living ‘green’ wall.  The restaurant is at the heart of the space and includes outside seating.  Owned by Roberto Gardetto, it will serve a deli-style menu and is due to open in June. 

·       Complementing the new signings is Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger, the brand making its debut outside London on Woking’s Commercial Way in a 3,700 sq ft restaurant.  In addition, the Gordon Ramsay Academy is situated above the restaurant, occupying an inspiring 6,000 sq ft environment that welcomes food lovers of all levels and ability to nurture their culinary passions through a range of educational, technical and fun courses and training programmes

 Commenting on the signings, Councillor Ayesha Azad, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “The signing of these four new operators will no doubt strengthen the restaurant choice for residents and visitors. Three are well-regarded local independent businesses that each add something different to our offer. Combined with Gordon Ramsay Street Burger, we have one of the strongest F&B line-ups in the region, making Woking a great place to socialise with friends, family and colleagues as we come out of lockdown.

“Woking is in a strong position as the recovery and return to normality begins. The town centre is ideally suited to the new hybrid model in which people are working more at home, which means they have more time to make the most of what is on their doorstep. Combined with the growing return of office workers and the volume of development in the town centre, the future for Woking is very positive.” 

Carl Whiting-Gorley, founder of Black & Irons Bar & Grill, added: “It is great to be part of the sense of momentum in Woking town centre.  We have been consistently busy since we opened and the feedback from customers is very positive.  The fact other brands are joining us is great, as it will create a strong run of places to eat and drink, encouraging people to spend more time in the town centre.  We are delighted with our new location and look forward to the business going from strength-to-strength.”

The signings have been announced as the development of the adjacent Victoria Square moves into its final stages ahead of opening in November.  Comprising 125,000 sq ft of new retail floorspace including a 50,000 sq ft Marks and Spencer, Victoria Square also includes a 22-storey 189-bed four-star Hilton Hotel, 429 residential apartments in two towers of 30 and 34 storeys, a new restaurant unit on Commercial Way and space for a medical centre.  In addition, the development will bring two new public plazas and an additional 284 parking spaces to Woking town centre.

JLL and Nash Bond acted for Woking Shopping.  AG&G represented Island House.  Black & Irons and Duke’s Bar & Deli dealt direct.

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