A licensing notice on the door of 286 Upper Richmond Road confirms that Hare & Tortoise is returning to Putney, with an opening expected early June. The new unit is at the former Papa John’s site, ten doors down from where the original restaurant stood.
The application, made by operator Bronzemarch Trading Ltd, also seeks an off-sale alcohol licence for the premises, with hours from 11:30 to 22:00 seven days a week. Staff working on the fit-out confirmed the timeline to Putney.news. The representations deadline for the licence is 29 May.
The original Hare & Tortoise closed in August last year at 296-298 Upper Richmond Road after years serving the community with Asian food, with Screwfix now occupying that site. The plan at the time of closure was always to reopen in a smaller, takeaway-only space nearby. The chain’s own Facebook page has listed Putney as a delivery-only location in the meantime, a sign the takeaway model was what the business was working towards.
The new unit is smaller than the original and takeaway only. The licence covers off-sale only.
Hare & Tortoise is one of several businesses choosing to stay on Upper Richmond Road in a reduced or different format rather than withdraw. The pan-Asian chain has been operating in London since 1996.
Watch for an opening date announcement from the restaurant directly.
