• Swindon & Wiltshire Property
• Tuesday July 7 2026

Hospitality firm loungers to open first international venue

Hospitality firm Loungers is opening its first international venue.

The cafe bar chain, whose outlets have become a staple of high streets up and down the UK, will open a branch in the German city of Essen in the autumn.

The venue will operate under the name Southville – a nod to the chain’s original Lounge, which opened on North Street in the Bristol neighbourhood of the same name in 2002.

Chairman and co-founder Alex Reilley said: “Opening in Germany is a landmark moment for the business and something we’ve approached with real care.

“Southville reflects the evolution of Loungers while staying true to the values we started with back in 2002.

“When we look at Rüttenscheid, we recognise something – the same neighbourhood energy, the same post-industrial reinvention and the same broad mix of cultures and generations that we found on North Street all those years ago.

“Essen is the right city, at the right time, and we’re excited to introduce our style of neighbourhood hospitality to a completely new market.”

Nick Collins, CEO of Loungers, adds: “Germany feels like a natural first step for us.

“We’ve spent time getting under the skin of the market, and there’s a real alignment with the way people eat, drink and socialise.

“Southville gives us the chance to take what we do best and shape it thoughtfully for a new audience, without losing the spirit that has defined the Lounge brand for more than 20 years.”