Trio of F&B brands invest in Festival Place
Festival Place in Basingstoke has announced a flurry of F&B activity, as Boswells, the family-run café operator, and Heavenly Desserts, the leading desserts outlet, commit to launching at the centre later this year. Sovereign Centros from CBRE, Festival Place’s Asset Manager, has, in addition to the two new signings, secured investment from Pan-Asian-inspired restaurant chain wagamama, which is set to expand its footprint significantly at the centre.
Opening in Bedford Square, Boswells is a family run cafe business established in 1972, operating successfully throughout the South, South West & Wales. Boswells will be offering a wide and varied menu of delicious, freshly prepared, made to order food from its 4,766 sq ft space. From an all-day breakfast, to salads, toasties, jacket potatoes for lunch, and afternoon tea, or just a quick snack. The café will be fitted out in their warm, welcoming, and cosy signature style, focused on great customer service, Boswells will be the ideal location to relax, rest, refresh and revive in the heart of Festival Place.
Boswells will join Festival Place-favourite, wagamama, which has committed to upsizing its existing unit, taking a total of c.3,900 sq ft of space and creating room for 46 extra diners. wagamama’s iconic menu of pan-Asian-inspired meals has now been a fan-favourite at Festival Place for more than 10 years, including katsu curries, ramen bowls, and noodle dishes. The recommitment of the much-loved restaurant chain reinforces Festival Place’s appeal as a destination where long-serving brands continue to grow, building on their strong existing foundations and loyal customer base.
Also set to join the centre for the first time is Heavenly Desserts, which will introduce its menu of hand-crafted desserts to Basingstoke for the first time. The 1,300 sq ft space opposite Five Guys will offer an assortment of cakes, tarts, cheesecakes, crepes and waffles, as well as a range of drinks including milkshakes, smoothies and lemonades.
Poppy Radford, Asset Manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, commented: “At Festival Place we are committed to not only adding new brands to diversify our offer, but to nurture existing tenants, creating space for them to invest and grow. This latest trio of deals are evidence of this ongoing commitment, with Boswell’s and Heavenly Desserts adding two fresh hospitality options and wagamama’s upcoming expansion strengthening the centre’s restaurant offer even further.”
Sita Wood, Head of Regional Marketing at wagamama, commented: “"We’re so excited to be upsizing our Festival Place wagamama restaurant. The additional covers will help us to meet local demand and serve our iconic bowls to even more of our valued locals. We can’t wait to welcome our guests and celebrate our brand-new look.”
Nick Burn, Managing Director at Boswells, commented: “With over 18 cafés located across the south of the UK, we have long been wanting to come to Basingstoke. As the heart of the town’s retail and leisure offer, Festival Place makes for the ideal home, and we’re looking forward to introducing our family-run concept to a brand-new audience.”
The news of the trio of F&B deals at Festival Place follows the recent opening of Slim Chickens. The American fried chicken restaurant chain has launched in a 3,503 sq ft unit opposite the Festival Square entrance, serving up its menu of fresh, hand-breaded buttermilk-marinated chicken.
Lunson Mitchenall and GCW represent Festival Place.