New Marco Pierre White restaurant to open in Threadneedles hotel
A new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill is set to open in the five-star Threadneedles hotel on Threadneedle Street in central London, following an agreement between Black & White Franchising and the hotel.
The new 100-cover restaurant will replace the existing Bonds, with work starting in January to refurbish the restaurant.
The hotel is part of Marriot's collection of luxury Autograph hotels, located in what was an old Victorian bank, many of the features of which will be incorporated into the designs.
Lawder Smith, area general manager at the hotel said: "The idea to come under the Marco Pierre White name will give the restaurant added kudos, help increase lunch trade and also attract customers during evening service.
"Located in the city of London, the majority of our current client base like a good quality steak. To have such a strong name associated with the restaurant will only go to increase the venue's appeal and we're looking forward to enhancing Marco's philosophy of serving good quality food in a great atmosphere."
Nick Taplin, of Black & White Franchising added: "Part of the roll out programme was to secure a London-based venue, so for our first venture into the capital to be in the five-star Threadneedles hotel is hugely exciting.
"We wanted to be careful when choosing where to open our first central London venue and to work with those who understand and appreciate the passion and drive to provide superb service and a quality food offering.
"To work with a venue with a reputation like the Threadneedles hotel is therefore fantastic for Black & White Franchising and we can't wait to get this restaurant open.
"Now that the first central London franchise has been secured we now plan to expand the number of venues in the capital in line with the overall brand objectives."
Black and White Franchising, which is rolling out the New York Italian and Steakhouse Bar & Grill concepts across the country, aims to have 20 restaurants open by mid-2015, and 50 within the next four years.
The company behind the development of the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill and Marco's New York Italian is New York Italian Ltd. The business was 30% owned by hotel development company Sanguine Hospitality, with the other 70% owned by Marco Pierre White. But recently Nick Taplin and Caroline Wilce, both of whom are still directors of Sanguine, bought Sanguine's 30% share in a private transaction.