Albion and East to open Martello Hall, aimed at "Millennial working generation"

The 310-capacity – with 130 seats – site is spread across three floors, and will aim to be a day-to-night space, offering coffee, fast Wi-Fi and hot-desking in the daytime, and pizza and cocktails in the evening.

The Hackney site is part of a wider plan to expand the group further across London in future, to create sites aimed at the "Millennial working generation". 

The group aims to source as much of its food and drink locally, and an on-site gin distillery has been set up to produce small batches of the ‘Martello Gin’, named Nicola. There will also be house-made syrups, sorbets, and cordials for cocktails, alongside homemade limoncello, and barrel-aged whiskey.

There will be a selection of 12 wines on tap, with each selected by wine consultant Zeren Wilson.

The food menus will be small, with as much as possible made from scratch on-site, using a wood oven and charcoal grill.

In the daytime, regulars will be offered a day pass of £10, or a £25 monthly membership, in return for hot-desking space and bottomless coffee.

In the evenings, the site aims to welcome local DJs and live bands, with a late-night license allowing the party to continue until 3am.

The group is aiming to roll out the Martello Hall concept across London, but chose to open in Hackney first.

Sarah Weir, founder, whose 16-year career has included Mitchells & Butlers, Davy’s, the Bramwell Pub Co and PizzaExpress, said: “Martello Hall is launching now and in Hackney because the neighbourhood has reached a very exciting time. Hackney is the home to London's next generation and creatives and there is a very strong sense of community and support here.”

On the group’s plans to expand further, she said: “Martello Hall is our first and at the moment we are focusing on giving it all the support and love it needs. But we do have plans to open more bars. Each venue will be unique to its neighbourhood and locals, with a focus on speaking to the millennial working generation.”

Albion and East is backed by the Imbiba Partnership, a funding body helping to support new companies within the pub, bar and restaurant industries, especially within London.