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Kricket has announced that it will open a new permanent restaurant in summer 2018 at Television Centre, the former home of the BBC in White City, west London. It was first reported to be happening back in August.
The brand’s successful first site — an extended two-year pop-up inside one of Pop Brixton’s shipping containers — is now closed. But founders Chef Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell opened Kricket’s first permanent restaurant in Soho in January 2017. Kricket is known for a modern, seasonal take on classic Indian dishes. The new 3,600 square foot site in White City is significantly larger and “a more complex space” than the Soho restaurant.
The restaurant will seat up to 140, feature an open kitchen, cocktail bar and outdoor terrace. Kricket White City will also take reservations.
Rik Campbell, Co-Founder of Kricket, said:
“We are really excited to be moving into the Television Centre, an iconic building in the heart of West London. We will be accompanied by some great names in the industry and together will make the Television Centre and surrounding areas a new centre of gravity for food, drink and entertainment.”
Alistair Shaw, Managing Director of Television Centre, said:
“We are delighted to be able to announce that Kricket will open at Television Centre. As one of the brilliant newcomers on the London food scene, Will and Rik’s passion, craft and expertise have made Kricket one of the big success stories of 2017. We’re thrilled they have chosen Television Centre for their second permanent site.”
The development will also welcome independent shops and restaurants from this year, including Homeslice, Patty & Bun and a second outpost of Chelsea’s Bluebird Café. Also set to open in the first quarter of 2018 is a new Soho House members’ club, 47-bedroom hotel and an Electric Cinema with three screening rooms.
Television Centre is part of a long-planned £10 billion “regeneration” of White City — and a sign that another corner of London is seeking to play catch-up on the restaurant front.