Inception Group secures third site for Mr Fogg's concept

29-Jan-2018 - Last updated on 05-Feb-2018 at 12:15 GMT

Exciting twist: Charlie Gikes discusses future plans for Mr Fogg's

The Inception Group has secured a site for the third iteration of its Mr Fogg’s concept and is close to securing two others, The Morning Advertiser's sister publication MCA has learnt.

The group, led by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, has taken on the former Bedford & Strand, in Bedford Street, off the Strand, for an opening later this year.

Gilkes told MCA there would also be a Mr Fogg’s opening in Fitzrovia this year along as well as “a very exciting twist on the concept for the City to enjoy”.

The first Mr Fogg’s opened in 2013 in Mayfair, with a “tavern and gin parlour” opening in Covent Garden two years’ later. The collection of venues is themed around explorer Phileas Fogg, with each described as a “spin-off”.

Mr Fogg’s is the key rollout vehicle for the Inception Group, which also operates the Bunga, Bunga pizzerias and a selectin of late-night venues and bars. Gilkes and Stirling also own the Squirrel healthy eating brand, which currently trades from a restaurant in South Kensington.

Gilkes said that 2017 had been a record year of trading, with like-for-like sales at all sites significantly up.