News, November 2007

UK’s 1st drive-thru espresso bar launches at The Junction

Islandrive is pleased to be opening its first UK drive-thru espresso bar at The Junction's Thurrock Shopping Park. Specifically offering coffees and teas, real fruit smoothies, sandwiches and pastries in innovative and car-friendly packaging, Islandrive is aiming to meet the needs of customers based out-of-town and on-the-move. Located in a 402 sq ft state-of-the-art pod, specially designed and built for the new outlet, Islandrive will start serving their specialities from this week. The design features of this unique pod will display a coffee cup drive-thru window and floating canopy to reflect a futuristic feel. Ian Harris, Development Director at The Junction comments: "We warmly welcome Islandrive to our portfolio and are delighted that they have selected The Junction's Thurrock Shopping Park on which to launch their first outlet. The introduction of this new offer perfectly complements our existing retail mix and distinctly displays the benefits of out-of-town developments. Always seeking to enhance the mix of new and existing initiatives and local and national offers, we believe this opportunity will benefit both parties." Commencing its long-term plan by launching at Thurrock Shopping Park, Islandrive will benefit from the high footfall of 5.17m, which was recorded from 1 September 2006 to 31 July 2007, at the park. Existing retailers include Comet, Asda Living, Marks and Spencer, TK Maxx, JJB Sports, Matalan, MFI and Carpetright. Matt O'Halloran, who founded Islandrive with his wife Karen in August 2003 commented, "Thurrock Shopping Park is one of the UK's busiest destination retail parks and a great platform from which to initiate this roll out. We are extremely pleased to have successfully completed our first comprehensive deal with The Junction; which fully supports our business model. Islandrive will be the first to bring the successful US concept to the UK, creating a new market segment; which specifically appeals to investors seeking a contemporary service offer to further enhance the shopping experience out-of-town." Matt, 34, will launch this concept with a long-term plan in place to expand with up to 45 sites. Ethically conscious, the new drive-thru will look to offer an organic based kids' meal range and provide an alternative for the frustrated health-minded parent in need of a quick fix for the whole family. Since 2005, the Junction has invested £25million in the phased refurbishment of the 467,000sq ft Thurrock Shopping Park, updating the design and elevations, improving landscaping, lighting and making considerable improvements to the car park.