- Founded by Andy Lewis-Pratt in 2017, Market Halls brings together some of the UK’s most exciting independent food traders under one roof in high-footfall city locations;
- The business currently operates several flagship London venues, including Victoria, Paddington, Oxford Street, and Canary Wharf, offering over 20 individual kitchens;
- The £11m loan from OakNorth will support the business’ continued growth and the acquisition of additional sites across the UK as it expands its platform;
- The UK’s eating out and drinking industry is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% by 2028, driven by providers offering a large variety of high-quality dishes, growing returning to office policies, and photogenic venues[1].
London, 30th March 2026; OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, has provided £11m in funding to Market Halls, the premium food hall operator, to support the next phase of its national growth strategy, including the acquisition of additional venues across the UK.
Founded by Andy Lewis-Pratt in 2017, Market Halls’ ambition is to bring together some of the UK’s most exciting independent food traders within vibrant, design-led venues in high-footfall locations. The concept combines curated food vendors, bars, events programming, and communal seating to create social dining destinations that appeal to both office workers and leisure visitors. Today, the business operates several flagship venues across the capital, including Market Halls Victoria, Market Halls Oxford Street, and Market Halls Canary Wharf, each housing a rotating mix of independent food operators alongside bars and event spaces. The venues have become popular destinations for Londoners seeking high-quality, diverse dining options within a lively social setting.
The £11m loan from OakNorth will support the company as it looks to build on the success of its existing estate and acquire further sites across the UK, expanding the Market Halls platform and continuing to showcase some of the UK’s most exciting independent food brands.
Andy Lewis-Pratt, Founder and Executive Director of Market Halls, said: “Since the start, our ambition has been to create food halls that not only trade well but also act as cultural anchors. OakNorth has demonstrated a strong understanding of founder-led hospitality businesses and has been a supportive and flexible funding partner as we plan the next phase of our growth. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on acquiring and nurturing venues with real character, then enhancing them through thoughtful evolution rather than wholesale reinvention.”
Stuart Blair, Senior Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “The UK’s eating out and drinking sector continues to demonstrate strong underlying demand, with the market expected to grow significantly through to 2028. This growth is being driven by operators offering a diverse range of high-quality food options, the continued return of office workers to city centres, and venues that create engaging, ‘destination’ dining experiences. Market Halls has built a compelling platform within this space, and we’re delighted to support Andy and the team as they continue expanding the brand across the UK.”
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Notes to editors
[1] Consumeredge.com – The 2026 Restaurant Outlook: Data-Driven Insights Shaping the Future of Dining, Value, and Growth
About OakNorth Bank plc
Launched in September 2015, OakNorth is the bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. It was founded to address the persistent funding gap facing lower mid-market businesses – a segment that accounts for a significant share of economic output yet remains underserved by traditional banks.
To date, OakNorth has provided over $20bn in lending to thousands of entrepreneur-led businesses across the UK and US, supporting the creation of more than 70,000 jobs and generating more than £40bn in economic value. Throughout multiple economic cycles, the bank has maintained a highly disciplined approach to credit, delivering performance metrics that place it among the top 1% of commercial banks globally.
It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
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[1] Consumeredge.com – The 2026 Restaurant Outlook: Data-Driven Insights Shaping the Future of Dining, Value, and Growth