The first phase of Mercato Metropolitano’s 17,500ft² site at Elephant Park is set to open later this month. A 3,900ft² trademark delicatessen and café space will open adjacent to the Walworth Library and Southwark Heritage Centre, where they will form the western portion of the overall site. The deli will sell a full array of artisanal and sustainable products – including cured meats, cheeses, and breads, while the café will have ethical coffees and teas on the menu, alongside sweet and savoury pastries and sandwiches. Both the deli and cafe will operate under the latest Covid-secure guidelines when open.
The brand, which has two existing locations in London, will also be opening a unique concept as the second phase of their work at the Elephant Park site - ‘MM Factory’. Opening later this year will bring together the signature Mercato Metropolitano mix of micro-restaurants and sustainable food concepts, and include a mill for heritage and organic grains. The flour made on site will then be used to create a bakery, patisserie, and pasta products, and will be shipped to the other markets in London, improving product quality and reducing the markets’ carbon footprint.
Elephant Park is a €2.9bn (£2.5bn) regeneration project where thousands of new homes are being delivered by Lendlease in partnership with Southwark Council.
Guy Thomas, Head of Place Assets at Lendlease, commented: “The opening of Mercato’s deli and café comes at a great time for Elephant Park, and will build excitement for the launch of the second phase of their concept. Community is at the heart of Elephant Park’s offer, and it’s a philosophy Mercato Metropolitano share, so we are delighted to see the deli and café open and serving local people and visitors alike.”
Andrea Rasca, Founder and ‘Chief Executive Dreamer’ of Mercato Metropolitano, added: “We are in the process of creating a more sustainable ecosystem, and the site at Elephant Park has a massive role to play in that. The first phase is a great introduction to who we are and what we offer, building on the overwhelmingly positive response to our existing London sites. We are grateful for the support Lendlease has given, which has enabled us to bring this forward now, and cannot wait to see the second phase also come to life soon."
