r/realbracknell

https://www.bracknellnews.co.uk/news/26237541.bracknell-dog-jacket-food-stall-leaves-lexicon/

A food stall has decided to leave the Lexicon after the shopping centre allegedly failed to deliver on promises to launch a new food court.

However, the Lexicon claims a new food hub is on its way.

The Dog & Jacket, a stall selling jacket potatoes and American-style hotdogs, told their followers earlier this month that they would "no longer be trading at The Lexicon".

The stall had recently moved to a new location opposite the library, having previously occupied a central spot by H&M (first as a donut stall before rebranding) for three and a half years.

James Snowden, who runs Dog & Jacket with his business partner, told Bracknell News they were pushed to relocate to the spot near the library after the Lexicon was bought up by US-based company Realty.

James, aged 34, thinks the Lexicon management wanted to free up the stall's old spot for bigger companies who could afford higher rents.

He said Dog & Jacket had agreed to move to the new location by the library because Lexicon management told them there were plans to turn the area into a special food hub with seating, lots of signage, and plenty of social media promotion.

However, according to James, the promised investments failed to materialise and footfall at the new location has been too low.

"We essentially were sold a bit of a dream... sadly none of it happened, and we have been essentially paying staff to be there."

On some days in the new location, he said, less than 30 people walked past.

The Dog & Jacket hung in at the new location for about three weeks before deciding it was time to move on.

"Normally I would give it longer than that, but ... I have done this for a long time so I kind of just knew... We didn't stand a chance."

James has worked in hospitality for about 10 years and also runs another food trailer outside Reading train station, as well as a general events hospitality company, The Box Events Group Ltd.

"If the Lexicon had done what they said they were going to do, it could have been a very different story."

He said he understands the Lexicon are just trying to run their business, but suggested that "when a private company owns a town centre it becomes very difficult for small businesses, let's put it that way".

A spokesperson for the Lexicon, however, told Bracknell News that they are indeed launching a new food hub in the area opposite the library.

"A new street food hub, LexEat, will launch in the coming weeks," the spokesperson said, "bringing together a curated mix of independent operators."

They claimed the new hub "will be accompanied by new seating, signage, and dedicated marketing, ready for the summer and all with the aim of supporting small businesses, while providing more choice for our visitors".

The spokesperson added that the Lexicon is "proud to support a wide range of charities, independent, and small businesses", and are "always keen to help operators succeed".

James told Bracknell News his experience opening a stall outside Reading train has been much more positive, and they are considering re-opening Dog & Jacket in Reading as well.

The 34-year-old initially said he never plans to open a business in Bracknell again, but then relented slightly and said he would consider a reasonable offer from the council: "But in terms of our relationship with the Lexicon, I'm afraid that is done."