John Lewis is unveiling a new own-brand café and restaurant concept as part of a multi-million pound investment in its in-store dining experience.
The new “Platter John Lewis” concept will replace the retailer’s “The Place To Eat” brand across 32 cafés, with the first refurbished spaces reopening from this month.
The investment forms part of John Lewis’ £800 million multi-year investment in its brand, stores and customer experience.
Refurbishment work has started in three John Lewis stores, with Chichester, Reading and Oxford Street the first branches to undergo investment.
The scale will vary by shop, with Oxford Street receiving the most extensive refurb.
The Oxford Street restaurant will reopen in early August as the flagship “Platter John Lewis” following a thirteen-week transformation.
All 32 cafés will be refurbished and rebranded by the end of 2027.
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John Lewis has partnered with hospitality specialist Benugo to transform and operate its new restaurants.
The partnership builds on an existing ten-year relationship with Benugo, which already runs cafés under its own name across 10 John Lewis shops.
“Platter John Lewis” will sit alongside the retailer’s wider hospitality offer, including Benugo, Ori cafés, Huffkins tea rooms, Jamie Oliver Cafe and Kamakura at Oxford Street.
The department store company currently has 62 cafés and restaurants across its store estate, with hospitality accounting for more than 20 per cent of its in-store transactions.
The category has seen sales grow by nearly 10 per cent over the past year.
John Lewis director of services and hospitality Katie Papakonstantinou said: “Customers are spending more time in our shops, and food and drink is an increasingly important part of that experience.
“Platter John Lewis will give customers a more modern, welcoming place to pause, meet and enjoy something delicious while they shop.
“This is an exciting investment in our hospitality offer and an important part of how we’re making John Lewis shops even better places to visit.
“We’re pleased to get the first refurbishments underway and look forward to opening our flagship at Oxford Street this summer.”
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