Wright and Bell managing director Jayne Baker is in advanced talks with landlords about new sites for her ‘department store of dining’ concept.
Former Michell’s & Butlers director Baker, who has backing from Imbiba to open five or six sites in as many years, admitted it was a challenge to find suitable 10,000 sq ft sites within central London and the West End.
But she said publicity around Kitty Hawk, the £3m debut site due to open in South Place on November 17, had prompted a surge of interest from landlords.
She said: “We’re looking for busy pedestrian areas near transport hubs, we’re being careful about the sites because we can’t afford to get it wrong.
“If we find established building or business we don’t just give it a sparkle. We are looking for empty shells to start from scratch and create the atmosphere.
“Over the last couple of months there’s been lots of calls from interested landlords with sites interested in exploring the concept with me. From people not knowing about us the tables have turned and people are knocking on our door.
“One landlord sent a team over to the States to get an idea about what we are doing. Initially I thought it would be very difficult but it’s now looking a lot more favourable.”
The concept features an “elegant and aspirational” mix of shopping, drinking and dining, which includes a large Ney York style bar, an intimate cocktail bar, all day dining from breakfast to midnight, a main grill restaurant, a coffee bar and patisserie which turns into a private wine bar at night, and private dining rooms.
It was inspired by mixed concepts in New York such as ABC Carpet & Home, as well as the more rustic markets of continental Europe.
Kitty Hawk was designed Russell Sage Studio, with design, marketing and branding from saintnicks agency.
The interior is characterised by exposed timber and concrete, blackened steel, copper, marble and hand-stitched leather.
