Growing optimism amid returning footfall

Shaftesbury, the Real Estate Investment Trust, has reported more than 90% of its food & beverage operators have reopened their doors since indoor dining returned on 17 May.

Following outdoor dining opening up on 12 April, 60% of the operators across the company’s portfolio, which includes Carnaby, Chinatown, Fitzrovia, Seven Dials and Soho were open for business, either via a takeaway capacity or al fresco seating.

With restrictions on indoor dining now lifted, it has led to a further 30% of the portfolio reopening its doors over the past 10 days alone.

Shaftesbury said growing optimism in the hospitality industry had seen an increasing number of new tenants looking to take space in its portfolio.

As well as new signings, nine existing operators are undergoing extensive refitting projects.

These include Marc Francis-Baum’s Barworks group, which has converted The Diner on Ganton Street into new concept Pam’s with the support of Shaftesbury.

Julia Wilkinson, restaurant director, said: “With indoor dining permitted once again, we expect to see footfall continue to grow and the support being shown to this vital industry continue.

“The West End has always been a unique and exhilarating place, so we are particularly pleased to see a number of new operators looking for space in our iconic villages as we move out of lockdown and look forward to making further announcements on some of these exciting new operators in the weeks ahead.”