Pip Lacey and Calum Franklin to run restaurants at London’s £73m Guinness brewery

Company of Cooks is to partner with chefs Pip Lacey and Calum Franklin having been named Diageo’s official bar, restaurant and event partner for Guinness Open Gate Brewery in London.

In an exclusive deal, Company of Cooks will run all hospitality at the 54,000 square foot space when it opens on 11 December. This includes two restaurants, a courtyard with drink and street food options, a private dining room, and the Guinness Vaults event spaces.

Lacey, who previously ran Hicce in London, will oversee Gilroy’s Loft – named after the creator of some of the Guinness’ most famous adverts – a casual rooftop restaurant offering a menu of British classics and native oysters.

She will also run the Porter’s Table, which will highlight “the very best of British produce” including meat aged in west London and vegetables grown in the city’s neighbouring counties.

Franklin, who gained the nickname ‘pie king’ for his elaborate pastry creations at Holborn Dining Room, will be serving up his pies at the bar in Old Brewers Yard on the ground floor. It is the first new London restaurant project for the chef since his partnership with Harrods ended this summer.

The courtyard area will offer outside seating with no booking required and host arts, music and cultural pop-ups and events during the year.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery London will also be home to an exclusive private dining room, where guests will be able to enjoy a hand-picked set menu showcasing signature dishes from all the restaurants on-site.

Company of Cooks managing director Rob Fredrickson said: “I can’t tell you how excited the team is to be working with Diageo on this incredible project. Guinness Open Gate Brewery London is a fantastic cultural addition to the capital, and our values of Craft, Creativity and Community complement its vision perfectly.

“Visitors to the venue are in for a real culinary treat. The brilliant Pip Lacey will be heading up the brigade and menus across the board will be influenced by her seasonal, modern style. We also have an exciting chef collaboration with the ‘pie king’ Calum Franklin, and we’ll be serving pies that pair perfectly with a pint of Guinness and other drinks on the menu."

Jason Thorndycraft, managing director of Guinness Open Gate Brewery London added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Company of Cooks to bring our restaurants, bars and event space to life. Their team shares our belief in the power and goodness of communion, which will anchor everything we do at Guinness Open Gate Brewery London.

"The welcoming restaurants and bars, and vibrant event space, will all have Guinness DNA running throughout, and we cannot wait to welcome our customers to enjoy them.”

Guinness owner Diageo has spent £73m on the development, which it hopes will attract half a million visitors in its first year.

The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin was named Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction in 2023, with more than 1.7 million annual visitors.

Tickets to the London brewery go on sale in November and will offer guests an immersive tour including a tasting session with master brewer Hollie Stephenson.