Gillian Maclean, formerly operations director of Novus Leisure, has teamed up with serial entrepreneur John Connell to launch a new London bar company.

The duo have christened the enterprise Drake & Morgan and have secured a site in Southwark’s Blue Fin Building that will open in September.

They plan to open 10 contemporary bar-restaurants, with food accounting for about 30% of sales.

Drake & Morgan will offer private booths that can be pre-booked.