A cookery school and cafe from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver have made their debut in John Lewis’s Oxford Street flagship.
The Jamie Oliver Cookery School and cafe opened on Thursday. The venture comprises two classrooms and a 50-seater cafe over 4,600 sq ft of the department store’s third floor.
The opening came as John Lewis revealed that one in five transactions made in its stores are now made in a cafe. Hospitality sales in John Lewis have risen 6% over the last 12 months and visitor numbers to John Lewis’ own Place to Eat restaurants are up by approximately 750,000 year on year.
The retailer aims to open five more cafes and restaurants this year, bringing their total to 62. They include two more Ori Caffes as well as seasonal pop-ups “giving customers original and topical experiences” – for instance a “floral centerpiece wine bar, serving a selection of English wine” that will open in the Peter Jones branch to to coincide with the Chelsea Flower Show next month.
John Lewis director of services and hospitality Katie Papakonstantinou said: “Opening the Jamie Oliver Cookery School and cafe is a fantastic addition to our Oxford Street store.
“Whether it’s a chance to ponder a purchase, or an escape from the bustle of the shop floor, having a varied and exciting assortment of hospitality offerings within our stores is vital for our customer experience. It’s why we are continuing to invest in new offerings.”
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