Thu 1st Mar 2018 - Eataly signs deal for UK debut site, in Bishopsgate Eataly signs deal for UK debut site, in Bishopsgate: Eataly, the Italian food emporium, has signed a deal with British Land to open a 42,000 square foot venue at 135 Bishopsgate in the City of London, which will be its first site in the UK. The food market will occupy a double-fronted unit on the ground floor of an office building in Bishopsgate, which is located close to Liverpool Street station, and will open in 2020. Eataly’s market, which will be on the ground and first floors of the building, will comprise specialist Italian food counters, restaurants and “production laboratories” where food will be prepared on-site. It will also hold courses, tastings, demonstrations and special events for visitors to learn about Italian food and culture. Eataly’s market place will be accessible from both Bishopsgate and Broadgate’s Exchange Square. Claire Barber, head of central London retail at British Land, said Eataly’s decision to open its first UK venue in Broadgate was a “fantastic endorsement” of the company’s strategy for the campus. She added: “Along with the arrival of the Elizabeth line at 100 Liverpool Street this year, and the high-quality retail space due to open at 100 Liverpool Street in 2019, Eataly will really put Broadgate on the map as an exciting destination for Londoners to enjoy seven days a week.” Eataly opened its first venue in Turin in 2007 and now has nearly 40 either open or planned across Europe and the US. Sites include a food hall within Westfield’s World Trade Center complex in New York and the Eataly World “food theme park”, which opened in Bologna in 2017. Ahead of the London opening, Eataly will also open in Verona and Paris in 2019. Eataly chief executive Luca Baffigo said: “Visiting Borough Market before opening our first Eataly in Italy was a source of great inspiration for our concept. This is why opening a place in London where people can buy, eat and learn is a very important and exciting milestone for us.” British Land secured planning consent for a refurbishment of the 340,000 squre foot 135 Bishopsgate building in 2017, and work is set to commence when current tenant Royal Bank of Scotland moves out. As part of the refurbishment, it will increase the amount of retail space available from the current 8,000 square feet to accommodate the Eataly unit.