Inception Group set for greatest expansion to date with three new bars for Mr Fogg’s Collection

By Bridging Loan Directory 4th April 2018

2018 will see Inception Group embark on their greatest expansion to date, doubling the size of their Around The World in 80 Days inspired, Mr Fogg’s Collection by opening three more bars. Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals will open in Fitzrovia this June, followed by Mrs Fogg’s, inspired by Aouda, the intrepid explorer, Phileas Fogg’s wife, in Jules Verne’s classic adventure novel. Opening in Broadgate Circle in September, Mrs Fogg’s will be their first foray into the City. The Mr Fogg’s Collection trio will finally be completed by Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration opening just off the Strand in October.

OakNorth – the bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs – has provided Inception Group with growth capital to initially fund the rollout of the three new sites across London this year.

Deepesh Thakrar, Senior Debt Finance Director at OakNorth, said:

“The London bar and restaurant scene is one of the most competitive in the world – there are numerous chains and while these can work very well, a lot of people prefer sites that feel more like hidden gems or speakeasies. Charlie and Duncan’s approach – developing venues that have a unique look and feel, as well as individual concepts – has proven to be extremely successful and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Inception Group was founded in 2009 by Charlie Gilkes & Duncan Stirling when they were just 24 and 27. The group operates ten of London’s most conceptual and popular venues, offering inventive food and drink served in eclectic settings. The business has won several awards as well as industry-wide recognition, including being named in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 and winning London Lifestyle Awards several years in a row. Bucking the current market trend which has seen a high number of notable bars and restaurants close already in the first quarter of this year, in 2017 every individual business within the group had their best year yet.

Restaurant Property, the leading specialist in the property market for the hospitality industry, secured the Fitzrovia site on Newman Street for Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals.

Senior Surveyor for Restaurant Property, Guy Marks, said:

“I am a big fan of Inception Group’s quirky, original bars, restaurants and clubs and I realised straight away that the former Dickie Fitz site would be a perfect fit for the group. It was off-market when we approached Charlie and Duncan with the details and I am delighted that we have been able to help them acquire the site.”

Mrs Fogg’s will be situated in Broadgate, the largest pedestrianised neighbourhood in Central London. The campus is a diverse community connecting innovation and finance, and a public arena for new food, retail and culture. Joint owners British Land and GIC are investing £1.5 billion in Broadgate’s evolution into a world class, mixed-use destination for London. Their masterplan for Broadgate will deliver 4.9 million sq ft of new and redefined workplaces, retail and restaurants, bringing people together to work, shop, drink and dine.

Claire Barber, Head of Central London Retail and Meadowhall, British Land, said:

“Mrs Fogg’s will be yet another great addition to an already fantastic choice of bars and restaurants at Broadgate. The team at Inception Group has an excellent reputation for creating unique, fun places for people to eat and drink. Their decision to open at Broadgate shows how successfully the neighbourhood is establishing a reputation as a public arena for new food, retail and culture.”