Market Halls acquires Shelter Hall in Brighton

Market Halls has announced its acquisition of Shelter Hall, Brighton’s seafront food hall, in a multi-million pound deal with Sessions – marking a milestone in its expansion beyond London. 

The Shelter Hall deal makes it Market Halls’ fifth site and its first venture outside of London. 

For Sessions, this sale is said to signify a strategic shift towards expanding its brand portfolio. Having launched Shelter Hall on Brighton’s seafront in 2020, the group is now doubling down on franchising – both in delivery and high street locations – while actively acquiring high-growth brands with strong product-market fit. 

Katie Rose, CFO of Market Halls, said:“We’re excited to be welcoming Brighton’s beloved Shelter Hall into the Market Halls family. Dan and the team at Sessions have done a brilliant job in bringing the site to life over the past few years and we’re committed to building on those strong foundations to ensure Shelter Hall remains at the top of the food hall game for years to come.”

Dan Warne, CEO of Sessions, added: “Selling Shelter Hall was a tough decision – it’s where our journey began, and we’ve built incredible memories. I’m hugely thankful to our wonderful team, particularly Operations Manager Skye Merriman, who has been instrumental in building the business. 

“However, I’m thrilled to see it find a new home with Market Halls, a business that shares our passion for outstanding hospitality and for supporting the development of great teams. This move allows Sessions to sharpen our focus towards our mission: bringing original food to more people by acquiring and scaling the UK’s most exciting brands.”

Currently operating four food halls in London – Victoria, Oxford Street, Canary Wharf and Paddington – with Shelter Hall now under the Market Halls umbrella, Market Halls aims to push forward with its expansion plans and goals to “become the UK’s largest food hall operator”.