Latest openings: Boxpark Wembley, Hotel Indigo Manchester, Redworth Hall and more
Boxpark Wembley
Boxpark Wembley is now open with more than 20 food and beverage vendors, including Bombay Burrito and Ugly Dumpling.
The North West London site is the largest to date for the Boxpark team. The line-up of street food vendors also includes Indian comfort food KoolCha, burger brand Nanny Bills, barbecue and grill concept Smoky Boys and Japanese restaurant Mitsuryu.
Alongside food stalls, the pop-up mall features day-glo ping pong, pool and foosball tables. The main bar serves unpasteurised beer direct from a brewery in Prague from Staropramen tanks.
Boxpark Wembley also features a 20,000 sq ft dedicated events space and a year-round schedule of entertainment. The cultural strategy for the area includes artist studios run by Second Floor Studios & Arts, a public art programme and cultural programming and events.
To celebrate the launch, Boxpark held a weekend of events in the 2,500-capacity space, featuring Rinse FM and Tim Westwood.
Opened 8 December
Traders Boki Coffee, Bombay Burrito, Cut + Grind, Drums & Flats, Mama Jacq's, Kabab, Hola Guacamole, Gabagools, Mitsuryu, Nanny Bills, Oatopia, Smoky Boys, Spice Shack, Ugly Dumping and Zia Lucia
Website www.boxpark.co.uk/wembley
William IV
Victorian pub and guesthouse William IV in London's Kensal Green has reopened following extensive refurbishment. Built in 1837, it showcases several original historical features, such as open fireplaces, stained-glass windows and a white marble bar that stretches across all rooms.
Typical dishes Beer-battered cod, triple-cooked chips; slow-roasted shoulder of lamb, potato, roasted onions, buttered carrots and thyme jus
Website www.williamiv.london
The team behind Spiritland bar in London have opened Happy Face pizzeria in King's Cross. The pizzeria offers a short menu of Italian pizzas made using dough fermented for 72 hours, alongside antipasti, gelato and dolci. Tucked beneath Happy Face is late-night cocktail and vermouth bar Supermax.
Covers 130
Founders Paul Noble, Dominic Lake and Patrick Clayton-Malone
Website www.happyface.pizza
The Oak SW11
The Oak SW11 in Battersea, London, is the fourth site from restaurateur Jasper Gorst, following in the footsteps of flagship the Oak W2 in Notting Hill. Led by executive chef Nuno Franco, the Oak's Italian and Mediterranean-inspired menu serves small plates and pizza, ranging from Padrón peppers to rolled lamb breast, alongside a wine list featuring bottles across Europe.
Covers 120
Website www.theoaksw11.com
The Corn Stores
The Corn Stores, Rarebreed Dining's third site, has opened in Reading. The restored Grade II-listed building, set across three floors, is home to a steak restaurant, cocktail bar, a private members' lounge and a top-floor lounge.
Typical dishes Home smoked and cured salmon, shallot and cucumber marmalade; rib-eye steak with café de Paris butter; and grilled plaice fillets with a lemon crust and crispy dill potato
Website www.thecornstoresreading.co.uk
Hotel Indigo Manchester
General manager James McDevitt
Starting rate £119 a night for a double room
Website www.ihg.com
Redworth Hall
Newcastle-based Cairn Hotel Group has unveiled a new Retreat Leisure Club & Spa at Redworth Hall in County Durham following a £2m investment. The leisure and spa facilities have been reconfigured to incorporate six treatment rooms, a tranquillity room and spa reception with foliage backdrop, as well as a new L'Oreal hair and nail salon.
Treatments From £40
Website www.retreatatredworth.com
