Shanghai cyber café brand comes to London’s West End

Cyber café brand Wanyoo Café is making its European debut with a new venue in London’s West End.

Located at 77-79 Charing Cross Road, the cafe will span 5,330 sq ft across two floors and house an eSports gaming station, leisure areas and co-working space.

The premises are part of property group Shaftesbury’s Central Cross scheme.

Wanyoo was founded in Shanghai 20 years ago and today operates more than 1,100 cyber cafés in over 50 cities. Its venues are primarily in Asia but the firm also has sites in the US, Canada and Australia.

Wanyoo chose Central Cross for its position bordering Chinatown London and local transport connections with Covent Garden, Soho and Leicester Square.

Shaftesbury asset executive Andrew Price said: “Video gaming has become a community activity, attracting vast numbers of spectators and contributors seeking to enjoy a shared passion.

“We have seen first-hand the immense popularity of Wanyoo Café in China, and are confident it will be a very successful addition to the capital’s line-up of unique leisure experiences.”

He continued: “There is also a great synergy between Wanyoo Café and how Chinatown London is evolving to reflect the fusion of the traditional and modern in the Far East. Consequently, we are delighted the brand has selected this location for the first move of their European expansion plans.”

Wanyoo Café director Zhaorong Chen commented: “Located in the heart of London’s West End, this prime position on Charing Cross Road, at the crossroads where Chinatown London, Soho and Covent Garden meet, is perfect for our European debut, has great visibility and connectivity.

“London has one of the world’s most diverse populations, and we are excited to welcome a whole new customer base to Wanyoo Café’s latest internet gaming flagship.”

Wanyoo’s London café will open this winter.

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