FueLab drinks kiosk moving to Basingstoke's Festival Place

FueLab, which opened at Chineham Shopping Centre in February, will move to St John's Square at Festival Place, situated between Metro Bank and Tesco, on Monday, June 1.

Luke Hazell, 39, one of the founders, alongside Joshua Wright, 18, and Callum Singh, 19, said footfall at the previous location in Chineham Shopping Centre had been a challenge, and the new site represents "a fresh start" for the young business.

The move came about after Luke Murphy MP contacted the team to congratulate them on their launch, saying he could see a healthy business. The FueLab team then reached out to ask whether he could broker an introduction at Festival Place. The new arrangement is a six-week trial, with the possibility of a longer-term presence depending on how trade goes.

Co-founders Joshua Wright, 18, and Callum Singh, 19, in the FueLab van (Image: Newsquest)

The kiosk's menu has expanded since its Chineham days. Alongside its protein shakes — now available with alternative milks and vegan protein powder — and hydration drinks, the team has added yoghurt bowls and freshly made salad bowls to broaden its appeal beyond gym-goers.

"We're going away from just the gym audience a little bit," Mr Hazell said. "It's a healthy alternative for someone that wants a more balanced diet - we're not necessarily targeting just the fitness crowd."

The team's new "Refresher" drink — a hydration blend with a sparkling lemonade element — will be available, and its low-calorie hydration drinks, at around 25 calories per serving, have attracted attention from shoppers sceptical about their vivid colours.

Luke outside the kiosk (Image: Newsquest)

"Because they're a colour or they look bright, people assume they're full of sugar," Mr Hazell said. "But they're only 25 calories."

A launch event is planned for Sunday, June 7, after the team decided to run a week's worth of trade first. Local influencers and members of Basingstoke Rugby Club have been invited, and customers on the day will be able to spin a prize wheel to win free T-shirts, drinks and discounts. There will also be a chin-up bar for photos, and a prize draw for a month's supply of hydration drinks.

The kiosk serves protein shakes, Buddha bowls and more (Image: Newsquest)

The business opens at 9.30am daily, closing at 7.30pm on weekdays, with slightly earlier closing times at weekends.

The team has also been taking FueLab out to events and has several dates booked over the coming months. They have already traded at a recent triathlon, have signed up for Basingstoke's half-marathon in October, and are waiting on confirmation for The Big Wheel in June. They have also struck up an association with a local rugby club, with plans to appear at a sevens tournament in August.

In the long term, Mr Hazell said he wants the business to expand, with the vision for another FueLab kiosk in the future.