The O₂ has announced that its Entertainment District, which is owned and operated by Waterfront Limited Partnership, a joint venture between AEG Europe and Crosstree Real Estate Partners, is now fully leased, following a deal that will bring pan-Asian noodle bar, Chopstix, to the world’s most popular live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination.

 

Considered the largest Asian-inspired quick-service restaurant brand in the UK, Chopstix will open a 1,991 sq ft space within The O₂’s Entertainment District, marking a milestone moment for both the destination and the brand, which continues to grow its footprint at pace, having already opened five new sites in 2024 across the UK. Chopstix at The O₂ will boast brand-new state-of-the-art digital screens, along with bold and bright signature interiors that make Chopstix so unique. Guests will be able to enjoy all of Chopstix’s irresistible menu favourites such as the brand’s renowned Caramel Drizzle Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, and vegan favourite topping, All Leaf No Beef Teriyaki, served fresh by Chopstix Wok Masters.

 

The signing of Chopstix at The O₂ coincides with the Entertainment District celebrating full leasing completion, following highly active management to continually evolve the destination and safeguard its exciting offer, environment, and experience. This has resulted in a strong line-up of globally recognised and independent F&B and leisure operators, with The O₂ marking international debuts, London firsts, and milestone locations for brands. In 2023 alone, the Entertainment District at The O₂ welcomed landmark openings such as JD Wetherspoon’s ‘The Stargazer’, the London debut for iFLY Indoor Skydiving, African fusion restaurant, Afrikana, and fast-casual dining chain, Chipotle, solidifying the destination’s role in delivering a varied and vibrant experience for a broad range of visitors.

 

Tom Membrey, Senior Development Manager at AEG Europe commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chopstix to The O2 – a household name which further diversifies our broad selection of grab-and-go eateries, which are a firm favourite with arena and destination customers alike. This signing also represents a significant milestone achievement for us as a destination, as we celebrate a fully leased Entertainment District, after years of building a strong variety of F&B and leisure brands. That being said, we aren’t a destination that stands still, and we’ll continue to explore innovative ways to elevate our offer even further and adapt to ever-changing consumer needs.”

 

Rob Burns, Marketing Director at Chopstix, added: “Signing this site at The O₂ is a big moment for us, as it is a destination we’ve targeted for a long time. Following our significant 2023 growth, we are thrilled to be launching at such an iconic location, one that aligns with our efforts in investing within the local community and delivering an unparalleled dining experience. We have some exciting plans for our new restaurant at The O₂, and we can’t wait to bring our faster, fresher, tastier pan-Asian dishes to the destination’s widespread visitors.”

 

This announcement follows The O₂’s record-breaking year of trade in 2023, with the destination boasting a sales increase of 31% compared to like-for-like trading days in 2022. Across the year, The O₂ welcomed 18 brands, totalling over 61,000 sq ft of retail, leisure, and F&B space, as well as a record-breaking year of ticket sales for the arena, with over 2.5 million tickets sold in 2023.