New London Hospitality Group

The duo behind Clerkenwell restaurant LUCA have announced the launch of a hospitality group.

Johnny Smith and Daniel Willis, who also co-founded The Clove Club with Issac McHale, will launch SMITH & WILLIS, which includes a new partner restaurant, Osip, in Somerset and the creation of The Loft, a concept space in Clerkenwell, London.

The duo also have plans in the works for a new London restaurant as part of the new group.

SMITH & WILLIS will focus on creating owner-managed and partnership brands that follow the group's guiding principles of 'built to last' and 'committed to craft. '

Through a leadership programme and other people-focused initiatives, the group will also seek to foster industry­ leading career development.

''I'm so excited to begin this new chapter with Johnny and our team," says managing director Willis. ''Creating a new hospitality group in which Osip is a partner fills me with immense pride, and I can't wait to create more places people love.''

Smith and Willis moved from Manchester to London in 2008 and opened The Clove Club in 2016. More recently, they were behind Outcrop - a pop-up restaurant, bar and arts space in 180 The Strand with food by AngloThai.

They have also partnered with Merlin Labron-Johnson for his second iteration of Osip in Bruton, Somerset. From their head office in Clerkenwell, the group will provide support on brand and marketing, people and operations at Osip while creatively directing the new on-site accommodation at the Somerset restaurant, which will launch in late spring 2025.

''The Loft is our home and will become a fundamental part of how we develop new ideas and create community, but it's also a unique space in terms of its hospitality potential," adds creative director Smith.

''It was designed with good times in mind."