Wickham and Studio 20 plan dining chains

LONDON restaurant group BGR , owner of Bank, is planning a series of restaurants, created jointly by Wickham & Associates and Studio 20, the company name of graphic designer Pearce Marchbank.

Wickham & Associates is working on the interiors and exteriors with Marchbank creating the literature and identities.

BGR will open Birmingham Bank in late summer. Wickham & Associates partner Julyan Wickham says the restaurant will be an evolution of the client’s existing format in London’s Aldwych.

Meanwhile, BGR will launch a new-concept restaurant named Zander in London’s Victoria in late November. There are no plans to roll out that concept.

The new restaurants follow last week’s launch of Fish, a new BGR restaurant in South London, also created by Wickham & Associates and Marchbank.

“Fish [the restaurant] is meant to appeal to local office workers at lunchtime and a broader audience in the evening,” says BGR consultant William Black.

“Fish [the food] is definitely growing in popularity as people become more health-conscious. There is a real demand for fresh fish, cooked simply,” adds Black.

Wickham adds: “The concept is broadly based on the American diner. Everything is at the same height… the bar, the tables and the kitchen, which is visible to the customers.”

Wickham & Associates and Marchbank are working on three Fish outlets. The first will open in London in five months time.

“These new restaurants’ will be part of a national roll-out of the Fish concept. We will be evolving the concept… tailoring each outlet to fit the environment. It is the kiss of death to roll out exactly the same formula,” says Wickham.