Drake & Morgan reveals plans to expand to seven City sites in 2013

Drake and Morgan, the bar and restaurant operator run by Jillian Maclean, has announced it is to open two new sites in 2013 taking its portfolio of City of London venues to seven.

The group's expansion plans will see them launch at No.1 St. Paul’s Courtyard and Sixty London in Holborn in the first half of the year - both sites are part of AXA Real Estate property developments.

Drinking and dining 

Both locations are described as 'design-led, flexible spaces for both drinking and dining' and will feature interiors inspired by bars and restaurants in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo.

The Haberdashery will be the largest of the announced openings with Drake & Morgan taking a 10,000 sq.ft. site over three floors in Sixty London including a mezzanine level. 

The 478-cover venue will include a deli, kitchen and bar as well as a cheese and wine room and a florist.

Mixology

With floor-to-ceiling window views of St. Paul's Cathedral, The Happenstance will occupy 8,000 sq.ft. of the No.1 St. Paul’s Courtyard development. The 238-cover eatery will include an open kitchen, deli, bar and private dining room as well as a mixology table and florist.

"We are delighted to be opening these new sites next year," Jillian Maclean, managing director and founder of Drake & Morgan said.

Innovative

The company, which was founded in 2008, is backed by investment firm Imbiba Partnership. Despite recessionary pressures the operator has continued to expand and has gained a high reputation in the industry.

Its original site, The Refinery in Southwark, has since been joined by four other locations including most recently The Drift in Bishopsgate's Heron Tower last year.

"It’s fantastic that we can continue to provide the City with something that’s a little bit different, fresh and innovative," Maclean added.

Early last year Women 1st awarded Maclean with the title of Outstanding Entrepreneur of the year in its Shine Awards.

To mark International Women's Day in March the businesswoman joined a number of other female hospitality operators for a BigHospitality video report investigating the role of women in the industry.