Fulham Shore: Fulham Shore signs franchise agreement with Brixton Village's Bukowski

BBQ restaurant Bukowski has signed a deal to expand to Soho, becoming the latest restaurant in Brixton Village to branch out. Once a covered over market populated by ethnic and specialist grocers and butchers, Brixton Village in south London has in recent years become a dining hot spot thanks to a ton of independent restaurants that have sprung up in the halls. Several of these restaurants have now turned into chains: Honest Burger, which opened in Brixton Village in 2011, now has 10 locations across London, and sourdough pizza place Franco Manca, opened in 2008, now has 18 spots across the capital. The latest to join the expansion is BBQ restaurant Bukowski. The restaurant announced on Monday it has signed a franchise agreement with Fulham Shore, a company set up by former Pizza Express CEO David Page in 2012 to take advantage of London's booming restaurant scene. Bukowski actually began life in 2011 in Shoreditch's BoxPark, a collection of shipping containers in east London bolted together to make shopping space. But this was a small site and the main Bukowski is arguably the one in Brixton Village, which opened in 2012. Page clearly has a thing for Brixton Village. Fulham Shore bought Franco Manca outright earlier this year and has spearheaded the pizza chain's rapid expansion. Whether all this is a good thing depends on your perspective. Brixton Village's rise as a restaurant hotspot was criticised by many locals as a sign of the area's gentrification - many of the restaurants replaced traditional market businesses that reflected the area's history as a hotspot for immigrant populations, particularly Jamaicans. There are still many of these long-standing, many family run, shops in the Village but they are slowly being replaced. Campaign groups managed to save Brixton Village from redevelopment into a shopping centre and gourmet farmers market back in 2009, but it seems they are only being driven out another way. Turning these Brixton Village restaurants into chains could upset many of the hipsters who have been so keen to visit the area - the independent vibe of the restaurants is arguably what has helped their popularity. As part of the deal announced Monday, Fulham Shore will open a new Bukowski restaurant in Soho, a West End dining hotspot that's a key location for any trendy chain looking for a foothold in the market. David Page, executive chairman of Fulham Shore, says in today's statement: We are thrilled to be opening a Bukowski in Soho. Bukowski sells great breakfasts, burgers, ribs and steak accompanied by delicious beer and wine. This three year franchise agreement will add to Fulham Shore's exposure to, and knowledge of, the exciting and thriving London restaurant market.Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: How hedge fund legend John Paulson built an empire off the 2008 financial crisis