Founded by Leon’s Henry Dimbleby and Street Feast’s Jonathan Downey, London Union has received the backing of some of the biggest names in British Food, including Russell Norman from the Polpo Group, Soho House’s Nick Jones, Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson.

The aim of the Street Feast model is to take underused and neglected spaces in London and turns them into street food markets, with the hope of bringing communities together, creating employment, and providing opportunities for new food traders to establish themselves without requiring large amounts of capital.

London Union has already opened three local markets this year: Model Market in Lewisham, Dalston Yard in E8, and Dinerama in Shoreditch. The markets are expected to welcome 750,000 visitors in the next 12 months, create over 400 jobs and support over 60 small businesses.

Over the next five years, London Union plans to open 15 more local, day and night markets, as well as one flagship market in a permanent location in Central London.

The flagship space will enable visitors to grab breakfast and lunch at various street food stalls, or eat at one of the market’s cafés and restaurants. In the evening, the space will transform into a night market.

Locations being considered are a large floating market space on the south bank of the Thames, and Smithfield’s Fish Market.

Jonathan Downey, co-founder of London Union, said: “London is the greatest city in the world, but it doesn’t yet have the world’s greatest food markets. With London Union we are going to change that.

“The past 18 months have been phenomenal for Street Feast. We’ve turned underused and derelict parts of London into lively food markets that have brought people together, created countless jobs and helped individuals get their new business ideas off the ground. We’re making a real difference to local communities and London Union will help us take this model to a whole new level.”

Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of London Union, said: “London is in danger of being hollowed out. It is full of empty spaces that have been bought by investors awaiting planning to build flats. We want to take those spaces and use them to create something both profitable and positive for Londoners.

“In particular we want our flagship market to become one of the great global food destinations and to cement London’s place as the street food capital of the world.”

London Union launches with the support and expertise of a board of founder investors, including some of Britain’s most successful restaurateurs, food writers and entrepreneurs. Over half of Street Feast’s 60+ strong network of traders have also chosen to invest in the business.

The London Union board of founder investors comprises:

• Petra Barran – Founder of KERB.
• Rosie Boycott – Chair, The London Food Board.
• Giles Coren – Writer, broadcaster and restaurant critic, The Times.
• Gizzi Erskine – Chef and food writer, The Sunday Times.
• Bill Granger – Founder of Bill’s (Australia/Japan) and Granger & Co.
• Nick Jones – Founder and CEO of Soho House Group.
• Nigella Lawson – Food writer and broadcaster.
• Thomasina Miers – Co-founder/director of Wahaca and writer, Guardian.
• Russell Norman, Richard Beatty – Owners of the Polpo Group.
• Jamie Oliver – Chef, broadcaster and restaurateur.
• Marina O’Loughlin – Writer and restaurant critic, The Guardian.
• Tom Parker-Bowles – Food writer and restaurant critic, Mail on Sunday, and Food Editor, Esquire.
• Stevie Parle – Chef/owner of The Dock Kitchen, Rotorino and Craft London.
• José Pizarro – Chef/owner of José and Pizarro.
• Mark Sainsbury – Owner of the Zetter Group and Grain Store, co-founder of the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
• Shamil Thakrar – Co-founder of Dishoom.
• Richard Turner – Chef/partner in Hawksmoor and Turner & George.
• Yotam Ottolenghi – Co-owner of Ottolenghi and Nopi, and food writer, The Guardian