Following a highly successful opening in Milan last summer, Mercato Metropolitano (MM), the brainchild of economist and chief dreamer Andrea Rasca, announced its first UK site will open in London this September.
Based around the values of craftsmanship, sustainability, urban renewal, good honest artisan food and real passion, Mercato Metropolitano is set to be the choice destination for discerning food lovers all over the capital this summer. As reported by the journalist Katya Marletta, it will be free to enter and totally inclusive, providing a space for everyone to come together, break bread and hopefully learn a little too.
The London site, a once disused paper factory, is located in the new ‘SoBo’ area (south of Borough), part of the Borough Triangle that is currently undergoing a £3 billion regeneration. The site is owned by Peabody – one of the oldest and most well respected housing associations in London. Peabody signed a 1 year lease with MM and were happy to welcome them to SE1 due to their shared values.
MM’s core values are maintained throughout every touchpoint; from the recycled materials to the no-frills layout. It’s entirely based on a sustainable economic model that is socially responsible and an asset to the local community.
Andrea Rasca, founder of MM comments: «The western world has a growing dependence on industrialised food and products that are made in large volumes with a focus on sales, not quality. As a result we have lost the sense of what our bodies really need. We don’t need something just to fill our bellies, we need nutrients to make our bodies and minds work properly. And on a social level we need good and tasty food to share with our friends and family. That is what Mercato Metropolitano offers to its customers».
Celebrating the authentic gritty warehouse environment, MM will bring out the natural beauty of its industrial buildings and create inviting spaces both indoor and outdoor, playing host to a theatre of activity up to seven days a week.
Specializing in small producers from all over Italy and the UK, MM will have an onsite bakery, fishmongers, butchers, coffee roasters, pizza chefs, Artisan beer makers, cheesemongers, specialist charcuterie, a large selection of Italy’s most exciting wines, fruit and vegetable growers, farmers and, obviously, pasta makers. All using only the very best ingredients and always keeping their passion and artisan values at heart.
There will be musical performances, educational activities and cultural exhibitions. On top of that, you’ll find urban gardening, a huge outdoor street food area (with some familiar faces to be announced from the UK street food scene) an ‘in house’ cinema, event spaces and a pop-up hotel.
In the classic industrial three-story building on the site, accessible from Newington Causeway, you’ll find Prezzemolo e vitale, one of the most exciting independent/family owned fresh supermarkets from Palermo. Set inside a dedicated 4,000 sq ft space this supermarket boasts some of the very best of southern Italy’s produce.