Notts ice cream maker takes a scoop out of London
A Notts-born artisan ice-cream maker is set to open a second site in the heart of London in a deal supported by Nottigham property agent FHP and city-based Leonard Design Architects.
Ruby Violet is the ice-cream parlour founded by Julie Fisher of Flintham, near Newark, who set up her first site in Tufnell Park.
When Fisher looked to open a second site, she called upon David Hargreaves – the former business partner of her father Brian Fisher who helped found FHP, and John Morgan of Leonard Design Architects.
She had her eye on a grade II listed brick unit off Granary Square – a new £1bn, 67-acre regeneration project at King’s Cross which is being brought to life after 150 years of industrial use.
She said: “I think King’s Cross is absolutely perfect for us. We are still rooted in the Camden area, but are looking forward to being in the centre of a buzzing scene – 13,000 people walk along the towpath at King’s Cross in a single day.
“There’s a massive amount of office workers and of course children love the fountains, it’s a destination and there is an energy to it that feels right.”
Ruby Violet, which Julie named after her grandmother is based in Wharf Road, London – next to the new 29,000 sq ft flagship store of Waitrose at King’s Cross.
David Hargreaves, who managed the deal with agents Lunson Mitchenal, said: “Julie came back to her home county to find the help she needed to open the second site. Julie has worked really hard to help make Ruby Violet the hottest place to go for ice-cream in London.
“Julie has sourced quirky designs for the parlour with a large piece of wood for a table which was found at the bottom of the Panama Canal.”
John Morgan said: “It was an absolute pleasure for Leonard Design, based in Nottingham, to work with Julie and the Ruby Violet Team. We usually work with bigger brands and companies such as Ralph Lauren, Avenuel in Korea, Fenwicks, Next, M&S and Intu.
“Because of our experience working with large developers we were able to help Julie in her talks with the developer Argent, the property developers behind the Granary Square development. We have worked closely with her to help create a new and exciting retail concept for Ruby Violet which took elements from the existing parlour and inspiration from the beautiful Grade listed building.
“This is the ideal place for Julie to set up her second site and we were pleased and proud to help her achieve this amazing milestone in London.”
Fisher added: “Our outdoor area is stunning, and will delight families as they enjoy their ice-cream within the spectacular Granary Square development.
