A cloud kitchen firm has launched its first coworking kitchen space in London, offering both delivery and direct pick-up options for its customers in an innovative new move set to revive the high street.
The Co-Kitchens is a cloud kitchen and food business incubator based in Dubai and the UK. At the new London site, companies can hire a shared kitchen space and there is also business development guidance and support for small food start-ups.
Following the success of its two coworking kitchen spaces in Dubai, the cloud kitchen firm opened the shared space in Dalston, complete with a front of house that allows for both delivery drivers and customers themselves to pick up their food.
Founder, Shahzad Bhatti, said: “Cloud kitchens are establishing themselves as a billion-dollar industry, but most of them are located in industrial areas or on the outskirts of towns where there are only options for delivery drivers. We’ve created an innovative new concept in the heart of East London that not only allows us to have eight food concepts operating from our kitchen, but also features a front of house, which allows delivery drivers and customers to come in and efficiently pick up their order from our automated lockers.
“This new space is located in a busy central location on the high street rather than industrial or business parks where cloud kitchens are typically located and allows for direct customer sales for our food concepts. Building this tech-enabled retail environment where customers can order online directly with the brand helps them get more money directly in their pocket instead of delivery platforms taking up to 30% commission.”