Mercato Metropolitano plans global expansion

With more options for customers and lower rates for operators, the rise and rise of food halls in 2018/19 was no surprise. This was – of course – brought to a swift end this year due to the pandemic, and with communal tables, people and vendors in close proximity at their heart, some were forced to close for good. So, it’s good news that food market group Mercato Metropolitano is giving us something to look forward to and planning to open ten new sites by 2025.

The group currently has two London markets in Elephant & Castle and Mayfair, and as part of its £35m global expansion plan, there will three more coming to London. New York, Miami and Boston are among the new locations in the US, meanwhile in Europe there will be markets launching in Berlin, Lisbon and Milan.

In more good news, the expansion will create around 2,000 new jobs at a difficult time for the job market. “Ultimately. we are developing a sustainable business model that aims to shorten the food supply chain, make quality food more affordable, and promote the importance of communal eating as a catalyst for social cohesion” says managing director Amedeo Claris.

The food hall news doesn’t end there, as Sheffield-based The Milestone Group is set to a food hall in Liverpool later this year. Located in Liverpool’s old head post office, the market will be branded as the General Post Office in Liverpool’s Metquarter. The new site will offer support and incubation for new and emerging traders, with confirmed tenants including Thai 25, Dirty Herb Vegan Chicken and Patty B’s Burgers.

To find out more about Mercato Metropolitano’s expansion, visit the website here. If you want to know more about The Milestone Group heading to Liverpool, click here.

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