Elior relaunches wine bar at Lloyd's

Elior's Avenance has extended its presence at the Lloyd's Building by taking over the iconic building's wine bar from Corney and Barrow.

Avenance has held the catering and hospitality contract at Lloyd's for the past 10 years on a rolling basis and the newly named One Under Lime wine bar will be a significant boost to its business. The bar's annual turnover is expected to be around £1m.

Gerard Basset, the co-founder of Hotel du Vin who was named World's Best Sommelier last April, has helped compile the bar's extensive wine list. He began collaborating with Elior last year, to work with wine selection for the caterer's fine-dining clients.

The business is predicted to be 70% wet-led and features a menu of British classics including bar food such as home-made Scotch eggs and Welsh rarebit. Heartier options such as hand-carved ham and fried duck eggs and slow-braised shoulder of lamb shepherd's pie will also be available.

Following Corney and Barrow's departure on Christmas Eve at the end of its lengthy lease, Elior began work on refurbishing the space.

The kitchen was relocated as part of the refit, a new bar, furniture and ceiling was installed, and the glass frontage, which makes up around 50% of the bar, was replaced.

Robin Givens, Avenance sales director for City and Corporate, said: "We tried to get the balance right. It now reflects the design and status of the iconic Lloyd's building, utilising design elements of the original building within both the refit and the branding."

Following a soft launch last week, the wine bar became fully operational to the public this week.

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By Janie Stamford

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