Kebhouze Oxford Street: UK's 'biggest' kebab shop opens in central London

Kebhouze opened its first UK branch on 21 December after expanding in Italy and Spain

A chain claiming to be the "biggest kebab shop in the UK" has opened its doors on London's iconic Oxford Street.

Kebhouze's three-storey restaurant sits on the corner of Poland Street and is able to seat 100 diners and has an arcade on the top floor.

The Italian-born franchise, founded in Milan in December 2021, currently runs 24 sites in Italy and Spain.

Westminster City Council told BBC London Kebhouze's arrival is a boost to Oxford Street's future.

"It's great to see new brands continue to open on Oxford Street and offer a range of products to shoppers," councillor Geoff Barraclough said.

"The adjoining roads along Oxford Street offer a variety of options to stop for a bite but we are excited to see more food offerings on the main street.

"Kebhouze has done well across Europe and I'm sure their first UK store on Oxford Street will not disappoint."

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The chain - which currently has sites in cities and islands including Milan, Rome, Bergamo, Venice and Ibiza - replaces a vape and souvenir shop on Oxford Street which closed down earlier this year.

Kebhouze's general manager Oliver Zon said there are plans to open more stores in the UK and added the chain offers four types of kebab meat including chicken, veal and turkey, beef, and a pea protein-based vegan alternative named "planted".

"When it comes to the UK, you either go big or you go home," he said speaking ahead of the Oxford Street opening.

"We of course decided to do one better than that and go for the biggest, opening the nation's largest ever kebab house."

London's famous shopping street has endured a tough couple of years with Covid-19 lockdowns and disruption caused by the recent construction of the Elizabeth line.

According to a survey by the Local Data Company in March, it found 42 of Oxford Street's 269 stores - around 16% - were vacant, making it one of the most deserted high streets in the UK.

But, last month music retailer HMV reopened its flagship store after four years and in August jewellery giant Pandora opened a site near to Tottenham Court Road's Elizabeth line station.

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