Inception Group saw record sales over Christmas, with 2022 turnover overall surpassing 2019 levels, founder Charlie Gilkes tells MCA.
The experiential venue operator of brands including Mr Fogg’s and Control Room B is in negotiations to open a number of sites in London, along with “substantial capex work” planned across its estate.
“We enjoyed a record Christmas period,” Gilkes says. “Train strikes affected our trade by around 25% in the third week of December felt most in the square mile.”
The group has announced plans to open Mr Fogg’s Pawnbrokers on Soho’s Dean Street on 22 February, taking inspiration from Victorian pawnbrokers through themed interiors and drinks.
The most recent Control Room B concept, launched in October at Battersea Power Station, has been well received and is “hugely popular” every day of the week, according to Gilkes.
He further says the group has yet to experience changes in demand or customer behaviour owing to the wider macro-economic climate.
“[We are] perhaps helped by the fact that a lot of our sites are also very popular with international visitors…we are of course monitoring our spend per head and sales mix closely.”
The aim going into 2023 is to maintain a “strong differentiated offer” and maintain the unique and experiential nature of its venues, Gilkes adds.
