The food and drink offering at Paddington Central and along the Grand Union Canal continues to grow with three new brands committing to the campus. London Shell Co., the independent seafood restaurant and Vagabond, the wine merchant and bar will add to the exciting mix of restaurants and bars along the canal-side while Pure, the healthy food chain will take space at 2 Kingdom Street.
Following the success of its cruising restaurant aboard the Prince Regent barge, London Shell Co. are increasing their presence at Paddington with a second barge called the Grand Duchess located next door. The restaurant aboard the Grand Duchess will be static, providing an all-day food offer, as well as a bar and outside area. The existing restaurant will continue to host its critically acclaimed cruising lunches and suppers along Regents Canal.
Vagabond is the first wine bar to open at Paddington and have committed to 3,000 sq. ft. of space along the Grand Union Canal, complementing the existing canal-side pubs and restaurants including Beany Green and Darcie & May Green. Vagabond have chosen Paddington to launch their first ever brunch menu, available on Saturdays and Sundays, further enhancing Paddington’s weekend offering. Pure will take 1,100 sq. ft. at 2 Kingdom Street, joining Department of Coffee, Coco Di Mama and Lords of Poké in the building and adding to the variety of daytime restaurants at the campus.
Since acquiring Paddington Central in 2013, British Land has invested nearly £100 million into the transformation of the campus including upgrading the public realm, developing 4 Kingdom Street and boosting the retail and leisure offering, with 10 new retailers added to the campus in the last 18 months. These changes have attracted leading global businesses across technology, telecoms and pharmaceutical industries including Microsoft, Sasol and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Storey, British Land’s flexible workspace brand, also operates from Paddington with clients including HMD Global and BAI Communications UK. The campus is set to benefit from the arrival of the forthcoming Elizabeth Line.
Harry & Leah Lobek, Co-founders, London Shell Co. said: “We are so excited to open our second boat at Paddington. The Grand Duchess will remain permanently docked on the Grand Union Canal and specialise in British fish with a drinks list that focuses on sparkling wines. The restaurant will also offer a relaxed setting to enjoy a glass of wine with bar snacks and there will be additional outside seating to enjoy in the summer.”
Stephen Finch, Founder & MD of Vagabond said: “We are super psyched to be coming to Paddington Central. With a compelling density of office workers and residents in the immediate area, set against the lovely Grand Union Canal and adjacent to several major transportation links, we have no doubt Vagabond will smash it right off the bat. We looked at several opportunities around London for our next Vagabond site and coming to Paddington Central was a no brainer.”
Tim Haddon, Head of Paddington Central, British Land said: “Our investment into Paddington continues to attract exciting, new brands, further enhancing the neighbourhood’s vibrancy for the local community, customers and visitors to enjoy. London Shell Co.’s expansion and Vagabond’s arrival will provide further enlivenment along the canal and boost the neighbourhood’s seven day-a-week offering.”
