Neil Rankin and Mark Wogan have announced the launch of Homeslice by Symplicity in Shoreditch – a fully plant-based pizzeria which uses Rankin’s Symplicity products. The concept follows a 25% increase in orders of vegan pizzas across Homeslice’s existing restaurants. Rankin, formerly of temper, Pitt Cue and Smokehouse, uses natural ingredients and ferments for low fat, cholesterol-free, high-protein products that have been endorsed by Tom Kerridge, Gordon Ramsay and Dishoom.
The Inn Collection Group has reopened a former police station in North Yorkshire as a 30-bedroom pub with rooms following a multi-million pound redevelopment. The pubco bought the former Northallerton Police Station in 2020 and has developed it into a new food-driven pub with accommodation venue in the popular market town. The internal spaces of the Grade II listed building have been repurposed into a bar and dining area with 200-covers, while The Custody Suite has been made into self-contained ‘snug’ for private dining or smaller groups.
South London pub group, Livelyhood, is set to open The Rosy Hue in Elephant & Castle in July. Inspired by the 19th century Penny Gaffs the area was once known for, the pub takes its name from the rosy cheeks of those who frequented there. The 4,000sq ft, 150 cover new-build venue will show show sport, live music every Friday, and quiz night on Sunday, with a heated covered terrace with space for another 80 covers.
Burger and Beyond is to launch its new site in Soho next week on Old Compton Street. Featuring signature burgers, Soho will also feature new and exclusive dishes, such as the XL pork belly burger, cheeseburger wonton’s & mac sauce. The Soho opening will be followed in July by an 89-cover site in the new Borough Yards development, which will also feature an outdoor terrace.
London’s first congee and youtiao street food concept, Juk Pou, will launch in Design District Canteen, the global food hall on Greenwich Peninsula. Founders, Shiqi Liu and Stan Yang, have taken inspiration from their childhood to recreate authentic dishes around the two staples of Chinese cuisine. Youtiao are Chinese deep-fried breadsticks, while congee is a creamy porridge made up of rice and water or broth, slow cooked and served sweet or savoury. Design District Canteen also features Hermanos Taco House, Guasa, Raastawala and Eat Lah.
