On 9th October, TBC.London welcomes a vibrant new addition to its community-focused, sustainability-led building: Tower Bridge Collective, a dynamic food hall operated by the award-winning company, Blend Family. With 13 independent food vendors offering everything from Eritrean and Ethiopian soul food to Greek comfort food and artisan chocolate, this marks Blend Family’s first London location and a milestone moment in the evolution of both the brand and the building.

TBC.London has undergone a bold transformation, reimagining its spaces to foster connection, creativity, and culture. At the heart of this vision is a commitment to sustainability and inclusivity, values that Blend Family shares deeply. Known for creating food halls that double as cultural hubs, Matt and Nina, the founders of Blend Family, bring their signature blend of ethical operations, community engagement, and culinary storytelling to TBC.London.

In this Q&A, we hear directly from Matt and Nina about why they chose TBC.London, what visitors and working professionals in the building can expect, and how Tower Bridge Collective will serve as a platform for independent talent, and unforgettable food experiences.

1. What made TBC.London stand out as the location for Blend Family’s first London food hall?

Matt and Nina: TBC.London stood out as the ideal location for our first food hall for several reasons. First and foremost, though, what a location! Situated right next to Tower Bridge, this is the perfect site with high footfall and high visibility, and frankly, it’s an iconic spot. Being well-placed on the South Bank, there’s also a really lovely mix of locals, tourists, and office workers - this really sits perfectly with our inclusive, community-first ethos.

We are so excited to be bringing this experience to such an iconic London location. We can’t wait to contribute to TBC.London’s mission to strengthen ties within the neighbourhood.

2. How does the building’s sustainability and community focus align with Blend Family’s values?

M&N: TBC.London’s sustainability and community-first ethos align perfectly with Blend Family’s mission to create vibrant, inclusive cultural hubs that are powered by ethical operations and designed to support and develop independent talent. And of course, adjacent to the food hall is the Urban Village Hall. This 3,500 sq ft space is offered free to community groups, schools, and social enterprises, which is a direct extension of Blend’s belief in food halls as cultural platforms and will help our Blend Culinary Foundation grow and flourish in London as well. This isn’t just a lease to us, it’s a partnership built on shared values: sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural vibrancy.

3. What can visitors, including the office occupiers, expect from the food hall? Are there any standout dishes or partners you’re especially excited about?

M&N: Whether tourists, locals or office occupiers, they are all guests to us at Tower Bridge Collective, and they are in for a culinary experience that’s anything but ordinary. Our food hall is designed to be a vibrant, flavour-forward hub where global street food meets independent foodies. Our lineup of 13 Food Partners is stacked with standout partners and dishes that reflect that ethos, and we'd never call out any one partner in particular. They all have something to offer to the mix - that’s what makes it authentic and diverse. Let’s say that guests will be able to choose from Palestinian hand-whipped hummus, Korean comfort food, and some stunning northern smash burgers. There’s something for everyone.

4. How do you curate your food partners to ensure diversity and authenticity?

M&N: That’s a really interesting question, and it really does sit at the heart of what makes us different. We are foodies through and through, and we love eating out and sharing experiences with our family and friends. We know what good looks like and work hard to select Food Partners that support our values. Whether it’s a passion for sharing the flavours of emerging cuisines or the third generation of a family bringing home cooking to the masses, we are looking for storytelling and impact. We actively seek out family favourites and also underrepresented voices in hospitality, progressing from home kitchens and market stalls to sharing their passion without the costs of bricks and mortar.

5. Blend Family is known for creating vibrant cultural hubs. How do you plan to engage with the local community around Tower Bridge?

M&N: Tower Bridge Collective was never intended to be just another food hall. Just like our existing spaces, we mean for it to become a cultural anchor, a place built by real people, for real people. As with our other hubs, you can expect rotating events that celebrate local heritage, music, storytelling and dance. Things that will make every guest feel like they are a part of something bigger.

And of course, we are family-friendly with a children’s play area, sandpit and children’s activities, the space is built for all ages and backgrounds. Each year, we run over 2,000 events, workshops, and activities that reflect the neighbourhood we are in, and things are no different for Tower Bridge Collective. We also partner with the Blend Culinary Foundation to ensure that activities designed to alleviate food poverty, enhance food education, and bring people together through food also take place in our space, working with community groups and other organisations.

6. What role do you see the Urban Village Hall playing in your vision for this space?

M&N: While the food hall offers a trip around the globe one dish at a time, the Urban Village Hall offers a flexible space where local voices can really take centre stage. It’s early days for us, but we will maximise the use of this space - as our contract allows - to support our Blend Culinary Foundation initiatives, including workshops led by and for community groups, as well as school-led or youth initiatives that align with our broader mission.

7. What does success look like for Blend Family at TBC.London?

M&N: Success for Blend Family at Tower Bridge Collective won’t just be measured by footfall or revenue; it’s also about creating a thriving cultural space that reflects the soul of this London neighbourhood while staying true to our independent, community-first ethos. We hope to welcome diverse and loyal guests and become an integral part of the neighbourhood. We also want to help our Food Partners to grow and expand beyond Tower Bridge Collective; their wins are our wins. We want to be known for great food and drink, but also for great experiences.

8. Do you see this location influencing future expansions or innovations in your model?

M&N: We learn and grow with every new food hall, and this will be no different. We are using Tower Bridge Collective to take some of our technology to new levels, trialling digital signage to further reduce our use of paper collateral and enhancing our App operations to deliver a more streamlined and guest-focused experience, whilst allowing us to gather more data to help us scale across our portfolio. With its iconic location, the footfall, and our first step into London, this positions us as a national player and will hopefully send the signal that the Blend Family model is not only viable but also valuable to urban regeneration and creating a sense of place.

Image: Matt and Nina, founders of Blend Family, outside their first location, Cambridge Street Collective, Sheffield. Credit: Blend Family

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