P.Franco returns as 107 Wine Bar & Shop
The east London restaurant opened its doors yesterday (15 June) following a successful crowdfund led by manager Will Gee.
Chef Mitchell Damota is the first chef back in the kitchen, having been given the chance to finish his residency that was cut short by the closure.
Writing on Instagram the restaurant says: “I have no doubt that over the next few months we’ll meet everyone and have the opportunity to share our gratitude to all who supported the re-opening, whether through the Crowdfunder, decorating skills or thoughtful words. Taking responsibility for something so valued was always going to be an enormous challenge, and as I’ve said before, it just wouldn’t have been possible without the collective desire to re-open, and the incredible generosity of the community.”
The restaurant says it has been unable to open under the name P.Franco ‘due to unforeseen circumstances’ but adds that it is working on a resolution. Instead, the name 107 Wine Bar & Shop references the site’s door number on Lower Clapton Road.
“I hope everyone can understand that whilst having this resolved before opening was the intention, getting back open as soon as possible is more important, and we can’t wait to fill the room over the weekend and beyond! The entire reason for re-opening this space was to bring back P.Franco, but whatever happens, I’m sure that this next iteration will honour the last 10 years of this special room,” it adds.
Gee launched a crowdfund for the business in late March after the Hackney-based group that owned P.Franco, as well as nearby Bright restaurant and Noble Fine Liquor wine shop, collapsed. It doubled its initial target of £10,000 needed to go towards business set up fees and administration costs.
