Grand Union founder Adam Marshall will be expanding his estate with more of his new bean, cocktails, razor concept going forward MCA has learnt.
The new concept, which Marshall revealed to MCA will be called Trade Union, is due to open its first site in Wapping in June with partners Vagabond Coffee and Drakes of London for male grooming.
Trade Union will also incorporate a florist – Maua London, Marshall said.
Vagabond will also supply coffee to all eight of Marshall’s Grand Union sites under the partnership deal.
Marshall said he wanted Trade Union to be a “lifestyle hub” space where customers to come to work during the day and then spend time socialising at night.
“You can pick some flowers up on the way home after work, you can go in and have a great coffee, you can get your beard trimmed, that can be accompanied by an Old Fashioned.”
Trade Union will feature a Manhattan/Italian themed menu, he said.
Marshall also told MCA that he would be looking to expand his estate with more of his new Trade Union concept as opposed to the established Grand Union concept.
“We’re not looking outside of London at the moment, we’re looking at a couple of places south of the river.”
Marshall said he was also looking west and expected to have another Trade Union in the pipeline later this year.
“We are in a position where can make offers on three London sites.”
Like-for-like sales across his established Grand Union estate are “well ahead of expectations” and are currently at 12.5%, Marshall said.
Wandsworth was leading the pack, up 40% year-on-year, he said.
