Volta, a new café and wine bar, has opened inside one of the 14 restored Victorian railway arches, becoming the first food and drink offering to launch in this new riverside neighbourhood being developed by Native Land. The opening also marks the moment that one of the 14 historic arches, closed to the public for 150 years, is being brought into retail use.

Volta is open from morning through to evening, serving fresh Italian pastries alongside freshly ground coffee, Italian-inspired focaccia sandwiches at lunch, and a range of small bites – Italian “cicchetti” – paired with a curated selection of wines into the evening.

The name “Volta” pays tribute to Alessandro Volta, the Italian inventor of electricity, and to the vaulted railway arch that now houses the café wine bar. In Italian, volta also means a “moment in time,” reflecting its role as a place to pause, connect and recharge.

The wider Bankside Yards development is one of London’s newest and most exciting neighbourhoods. It spans 5.5 acres and will bring eight new buildings, 600+ new homes, 350,000 sq. ft of next generation workspace, 50,000 sq. ft of amenities, cultural venues and the highly anticipated 5-star Mandarin Oriental Bankside Yards hotel. A £65 million contribution to Southwark Council will also help deliver affordable housing across the borough.

Nicholas Gray, Executive Director at Native Land, said: “The opening of Volta is an exciting moment for Bankside Yards, as the first food and drink offering within a wider masterplan bringing homes, workspaces, retail, cultural venues and luxury hospitality together. This wonderful, independent cafe brings activity and character back to one of the Bankside Yards’ historic railway arches. Alongside offering a new place for the neighbourhood’s workers, residents and visitors to connect over delicious, authentic Milanese food and freshly ground coffee, Volta marks the first step in shaping Bankside Yards as a place with real vibrancy and long-term value for London’s South Bank.”

Volta is now open and welcoming guests for coffee, conversation, and Milanese flavours throughout the day and into the evening.

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