The O2 Entertainment District welcomes four new F&B venues

The Entertainment District at The O2, which is owned and operated by Waterfront Limited Partnership, has announced four new additions to its F&B line-up. The destination welcomes two debut openings for Soukra and Trapdoor, as well as two signings for Haute Dolci and JD Wetherspoon. It said the new additions coincide with the district celebrating “exceptionally strong” performance figures and “continual success in the sector”. Soukra is a Mediterranean and middle-Eastern concept, and the brand’s first bricks and mortar site will open next week following a “significant investment”. The 9,730 sq ft unit spans the ground floor, with mezzanine and garden spaces opening in the new year, and will serve 300 covers within a “delicately crafted” interior, designed and built by the Fiducia Interiors. Founded by Hamdi Bensalem and Sanj Nandhe, the debut restaurant’s menu features shakshuka, Andalusian lamb tajine and lamb kafta. Trapdoor, an American bar and restaurant, has also opened its 4,000 sq ft debut restaurant at the destination. The space has been designed by founder Annabella Salaf and features an “eclectic mix” of skateboard-led artwork and live DJ sets. It serves an extensive cocktail and award-winning chef menu and is located on the lower ground level. Set to open in January 2023 is Haute Dolci, a luxurious sweet treat specialist. The 3100 sq ft space will bring “an essence of sweetness mixed with a winning combination of taste, appearance and quality”. Finally, JD Wetherspoon will open its nearly 8,000 sq ft space at The O2 in early 2023. Named ‘The Stargazer’, the brand will be investing £3m into the new pub, which will feature a 3,800 sq ft beer garden with views across the Thames and Canary Wharf. These recent signings and openings coincide with strong performance figures seen by The O2’s Entertainment District, with sales up by 13% in October and November 2022 against the same months in 2019. Sanj Nandhe, founder of Soukra, said: “We are delighted to be opening our doors within the Entertainment District at The O2. As a former multi-unit franchisee for the world’s largest pizza group and with over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality sector, I immediately recognised the outstanding opportunity the destination presented. We have witnessed The O2’s Entertainment District grow and evolve and we are very pleased to be opening our debut site within such an iconic venue.” Janine Constantin-Russell, MD at Icon Outlet at The O2 and the Entertainment District added: “We have well and truly cemented our reputation as a well-rounded, day-to-night destination with the addition of these debut openings and new signings. “We have had a fantastic year and have worked hard to put in the groundwork to create and deliver an unrivalled destination, which is reflected in our strong performance over the last few months. I’m very proud to represent a destination that encompasses the very best of F&B, leisure and retail and I’m excited for what next year brings.”