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Mannequins will make way for food stalls at the former BHS store in Oxford Street as it transforms into a bustling hub for foodies under plans to open as the UK’s largest food hall.

BHS ceased trading in 2016 and the site sat largely empty until Polish fashion label Reserved moved in last year. Now, the remaining space at the beleaguered department store chain will be the flagship branch of a new venture bringing three permanent food markets to the capital.

A disused Tube station ticket hall in Fulham and a former nightclub in Victoria will also be transformed.

Between them the markets will feature more than 50 bars and eateries, including outposts of well-known London restaurants and street food traders as well as a smaller number of start-ups.

The markets will be run by Simon Anderson, the restaurateur behind popular barbecue destination Pitt Cue Co, and property investor Andy Lewis-Pratt.

Market Halls in numbers Market Hall Fulham, launching in April, 10 kitchens, 1 bar, 10,000 sq ft Market Hall Victoria, launching in summer, 14 kitchens, 3 bars, 14,000 sq ft Market Hall West End, launching autumn, 25 kitchens, 4 bars, 10 food stalls, event space, demo kitchen, 36,000 sq ft

The pair have been inspired by the traditional hawker markets of Asia as well as similar outposts around the world including Dekalb Market Hall in New York and La Boqueria in Barcelona. They believe the Oxford Street flagship will be the biggest food hall in the UK.

Proper cutlery, crockery and glassware will mean the experience is closer to eating in a restaurant than at a street food market, as well as being better for the environment.

Market Hall Fulham will be the first of the three to open, taking over the ornate Edwardian former entrance hall of Fulham Broadway station. The ticket hall dates back to 1880 but became redundant when the current entrance through a shopping centre opened in 2003.

It will be the smallest of the markets — featuring 10 restaurants and one bar, with seating for 180 people.

This will be followed by Market Hall Victoria in the summer, which will take over the former site of nightclub Pacha in Terminus Place and feature 14 restaurants, three bars and seating for 300.

Finally, Market Hall West End will open in the autumn, taking over a large swathe of the former BHS site.

It will feature 25 restaurants, four bars and stalls selling produce, along with event spaces and a demo kitchen.

Mr Anderson said: “The markets will have something for everyone and quality will be key.

“All under one roof, you’ll be able to find as good a curry, pizza and vegan burger as you can anywhere in London.”

Speaking of the initial launch in Fulham, he added: “It is great to be able to bring back to life such a wonderful space which has been sitting empty. The market will bring a bit of the feel of east London to the further reaches of west London.”

Visit markethalls.co.uk.