The Royal Exchange, the City of London’s leading luxury destination, has signed two new dining brands as operators look to capitalise on the public realm improvements and the Square Mile’s ongoing resurgence.

Empanada specialist Chango has taken unit 31, while The Salad Kitchen has signed for unit 23. Both stores, which front onto Threadneedle Street, have been taken on new 10-year leases.

The new arrivals highlight the growing demand from dining and socialising operators at The Royal Exchange, in response to both the continued growth in visitor numbers – to both the destination and the wider City – and the creation of new public realm around the building. The City of London Corporation’s “All Change At Bank” project is creating a new public space, including al fresco dining, along the stretch of Threadneedle Street outside The Royal Exchange.

The Square Mile is undergoing a wider resurgence as a luxury retail and social destination, with The Royal Exchange playing a key role in the revival. Chango and The Salad Kitchen join existing operators such as The Libertine and Fortnum & Mason, while Des Gunewardena is set to launch his new venture in the destination’s mezzanine area later this year. The new lettings follow recent long-term commitments from luxury retail brands including Tiffany & Co., Bremont, Aspinal of London, Omega, Montblanc and Hermès.

Andrew Hilston, Managing Director of The Ardent Companies UK, said: “The public realm upgrades on Threadneedle Street are changing the face of The Royal Exchange’s external space, enabling outside dining and further enhancing what is rapidly becoming one of the City’s leading social destinations. The arrival of Chango and The Salad Kitchen, alongside our existing bars and restaurants, highlights the growing demand for dining options in the area as visitor numbers to both The Royal Exchange and the wider Square Mile continue to increase.”