Darwin & Wallace among operators chosen for first phase of Battersea Power Station development

Darwin & Wallace's pub will join restaurant Pedler Cru and a host of other independent operators at Circus West, the western area of the Battersea Power Station development

Independent bar and restaurant company Darwin & Wallace has announced plans to open its fifth site at the new Battersea Power Station development.

The company, which is due to open its fourth site in Chiswick next month, was chosen as the only pub operator to take up a space within Circus West, forming the first phase of development at the former power station site.

Darwin & Wallace's site - working title No29 - will join other food and drink businesses, including restaurant Pedler Cru, bakery and cafe Flour Power City Bakery, coffee shop The Coffeeworks Project, wine shop and wine bar Vagabond and butchers Allens of Battersea.

The area, located on the west side of the power station building, will also include a florist, hairdressers and a village hall. All businesses are expected to open early next year.

Community pub

Darwin & Wallace managing director Mel Marriott told BigHospitality the company was excited to have been chosen for phase one, particularly in the face of such fierce competition.

"There were so many operators who wanted to have the site, so it is lovely to have been chosen to be involved," she said. "The developers wanted independent businesses and I think our approach, where we use a lot of artisan producers, was part of the appeal. Phase one will be a little community in itself and the pub will form part of that community."

Marriott said the site's interiors would take inspiration from the power station, but would be in-keeping with the era when it was operational, rather than being industrial in style.

Like Darwin & Wallace's other sites, No29 will open all day and serve a range of dining and drinking occasions.

Neighbourhood feel

Joanne Skilton, head of leasing, Battersea Power Station Development Company, said businesses had been deliberately chosen to help create a community. When Circus West is complete it will host 25,000 people who will live and work there.

"The team at Battersea has looked carefully at all the elements needed to create both a great community and a great place. We have therefore put together a mix of local shops, restaurants and social amenities which will not only give Circus West a distinctive neighbourhood feel, but make it a fantastic place for people to visit when it opens."

Circus West is the beginning of a the major development of the Battersea Power Station area.

PPHE hotel group's Art'otel brand has already been chosen to operate Battersea Power Station's 160-bedroom hotel. It will be part of phase three of the £8bn development.