210 BRANDS 1012 SITES 21811 EMPLOYEES
CELEBRATING THE BEST In association with
nrbtopfifty.co.uk
Welcome to the sixth NRB Top Fifty, the prestigious and much anticipated powerlist of the most important and influential individuals within the Northern hospitality industry. This year we have worked harder than ever on the rigour of the research and judging process, and we are proud to have wrapped the results up in this rather swish hardback book.
Enjoy the reception, with superb wine and beers from JW Lees and Willoughby’s and canapés from Fumo Manchester, and take the time to explore Northern Restaurant & Bar. We hope to see you all again, after another successful year, in March 2018.
This year’s list has shown steady churn with an influx of new entrants particularly from Yorkshire and the North East. Research by CGA Peach demonstrates that the region’s ambitious, independent operators are thriving despite increasing competition, and it is the people who make up the NRB Top Fifty who are driving this dynamic. To those included in this prestigious list I say congratulations, and to the judges and our generous sponsors I say a heartfelt thank you for your time and support.
Thom Hetherington CEO Northern Restaurant & Bar Photo: Eddie Garvey
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 1
Kuits is a leading commercial law firm based in Manchester. Ranked “Elite” for licensing in the Legal 500 directory, we work closely with clients to understand their needs and objectives and provide tailored legal solutions. kuits.com
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
SPONSORED BY
CGA Peach is a research and insight business focused on delivering market leading data and insight to pub, restaurant and hospitality operators. Their ability to sit between consumer, supply and demand dynamics is unique for the sector. cgapeach.co.uk
Jelf Manson is one of Manchester's leading insurance brokers. Serving Manchester and the North West region for over 40 years, we put customer care at the heart of what we do. We cater for a wide range of business insurance sectors and niches including restaurants and casual dining, indeed we have been insuring local restaurants and a number of national restaurant chains for over 15 years. jelfgroup.com
Metis Real Estate Advisors are an independent commercial real estate consultancy providing expert advice to occupiers, landlords, investors and developers across the UK. The Leisure team provides advice on some of the UK’s best known leisure schemes as well as providing acquisition strategy and advice to national, regional and local Operators. metisrealestate.com
The Russell Partnership is a strategic consultancy specialising in Catering, Conferencing, Events and Leisure markets, to deliver bespoke strategies, market and customer insight, creative design solutions, operational implementation and commercially viable results. The Russell Partnership 25 years’ experience as well as their innovative and agile approach have earned them global recognition and an impressive client portfolio. russellpartnership.com
AWARDS RECEPTION SUPPORTERS
Fumo Manchester. First launched in 2012, Fumo is part of the award-winning San Carlo Group which owns and operates seventeen outstandingly successful modern Italian restaurants across the UK and overseas. The independent family-owned business was founded in Birmingham in 1984 by Carlo Distefano and is recognised for its superb freshly prepared regional Italian food, great service and lively, friendly atmosphere. San Carlo Group restaurants epitomise all that is best in genuine Italian hospitality. sancarlo.co.uk
2 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
JW Lees are a Manchester based, family owned brewery and pub company they also own Willougby’s, their own wines and spirits merchants. JW Lees manage some of the North West’s most popular pubs and are famous for brewing award winning beers. JW Lees are supporting the NRB Top Fifty with their new range of craft canned beers, featuring Manchester Pale Ale, Moonraker, Manchester Star and Atomic. jwlees.co.uk
JUDGING NOTES The NRB Top Fifty exists to recognise the most significant hospitality operators in the North of England. We look for individuals who are driving their businesses to sector-leading levels of commercial and critical success, who show consistency as well as evolution and innovation and who make a contribution to the industry and the region in terms of skills, training, ambassadorial work and general CSR. The NRB Top Fifty can be chefpatrons running world-class kitchens, or captains of industry building extensive multi-brand casual dining portfolios, but they must be inspirational standard bearers for the Northern hospitality industry. The awards are judged by a panel of leading hospitality experts who span the fields of law, finance, property, insurance, marketing and business consultancy at some of the
4 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
world’s biggest food and drink operations. They are all Northernbased and know the region intimately.
something truly exceptional within the preceding twelve months.
After the initial round of applications and nominations there is a rigorous paper-based research and assessment process collating hundreds of pages of information about potential inclusions. Following this there is an in-depth judging discussion and, where necessary, additional peer/industry interviews are carried out. We are grateful to The Russell Partnership and CGA Peach for their additional insight at this point.
If you or someone you know would like to be considered for the NRB Top Fifty 2018 then please look out for the nomination process which will start in November 2017.
Following this exhaustive process a definitive fifty is selected and balanced to ensure there is no bias in terms of industry sector or geography. A final round of discussion then takes place to select the three Special Achievement Award winners who the judges feel have achieved
For more information visit nrbtopfifty.co.uk or follow on twitter @nrbtopfifty or email clare.tams@holdenmedia.co.uk
HAZ ARSHAD SAX ARSHAD ZANNA GROUP Brands: Damson & Co, Evelyn’s Café Bar, Mughli, Queenswood & Railway Café Sites: 6 Number of Employees: 180 Key Locations: Manchester, Cheshire, London
Recent Awards: - Mughli - Best of Manchester, English Curry Awards 2016 - Evelyn’s Café Bar - Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2016 shortlisted in Casual Dining Venue, Chef of the year and Newcomer. Biography: As well as managing one of Manchester’s favourite curry restaurants with Mughli, located on Rusholme’s curry mile, the Zanna Group offer further variety with their restaurants in Manchester, Cheshire and London. During October 2016 they opened a pop up Mughli Market in Selfridges in Birmingham. Future plans include a bar opening in the basement of Evelyns in May 2017 and new ventures in Manchester during 2018.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 5
ADELE ASHLEY FILMORE & UNION Brands: Filmore & Union Sites: 8 Number of employees: 200 Key locations: York, Harrogate, Beverley, Leeds, Newcastle, Skipton, Ilkley & Wetherby
6 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - The Sunday Times Top 3 Healthy Eateries in the UK - Bronze award in the Free From Eating Out Awards 2016 - Gluten Free Accreditation from Coeliac UK Biography: The idea for Filmore & Union began in February 2011 with a casual chat around a kitchen table, airing frustrations at the lack of healthy restaurants to eat in and even fewer take out options. Following a trip to San Francisco, the land of healthy eating and great service, Filmore & Union the ďŹ rst restaurant was opened in 2012 in the centre of York. Since then, seven other stores have opened across Yorkshire including three outlets in York and Newcastle train stations.
PAUL ASKEW THE ART SCHOOL Brands: The Art School Sites: 1 Number of employees: 26 Key Locations: Liverpool Recent Awards: - The Art School was named in the Sunday Times Top 100 restaurants for 2017 - The Art School made the top 5 in a list of 100 UK restaurants compiled by Open Table - The Art School is listed in the Good Food Guide 2017 - Daniela Tucci, winner of North West Young Chef of the Year
Biography: A fellow of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts and joint Chair for the North of England, Paul Askew opened The Art School Restaurant where he is Chef Patron in 2014. The Art School has again been listed in Open Table’s Top 100 Restaurants in the UK in 2016 and the Good Food Guide. Paul has spearheaded a campaign with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts to bring the Chef Apprenticeship scheme to Liverpool. The City of Liverpool College is the third college outside London to be picked to run the course and, the first in northern England, the culmination of eight years work by Paul.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 7
MOHAMMED ASLAM MBE AAGRAH GROUP Brands: Aagrah Sites: 14 Number of Employees: 350+ Key Locations: Yorkshire Recent Awards: - YABA Special Awards 2016 – Mohammed Aslam
8 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: As owner of the Aagrah Group, Mohammed Aslam MBE now oversees one of the largest groups of curry restaurants in the UK. In addition to his work with Aagrah, Aslam also supports the wider development of the industry through the South Asian Chef Competition, an annual award honouring the best curry chefs in the country. Aslam’s charity work continued in 2016 as the Aagrah Group came together for the first time with First Direct Arena to host the 34th Aagrah Business Dinner. Following this from the proceeds made, the restaurant chain donated £20,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support base in Shipley.
CRAIG BANCROFT, NIGEL HAWORTH NORTHCOTE LEISURE GROUP Brands: Northcote, Ribble Valley Inns, Café Northcote & Northcote Offsite Sites: 8 Number of Employees: 170 Key Locations: Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire
Recent Awards: - Craig Bancroft named Hotelier of the Year 2016 at The Cateys - Northcote named AA Hotel of the Year 2016/17 - Listed in the Hoteliers Top 100 by The Caterer and Sky - Craig Bancroft was shortlisted for the Wine and Spirit Ambassador Award at The Cateys 2016 - Featured in the Power List – Power Pairings, a compilation of the 100 most powerful people in the restaurant industry according to ‘Restaurant’ Magazine - Craig Bancroft as Hotel Personality of the Year 2017 by Imbibe - Craig listed as Industry Titan in Boutique Hotelier Power List 2016
Biography: Northcote is a renowned small luxury hotel with a Michelin star restaurant situated on the edge of the Ribble Valley, in the heart of Lancashire. They continue to host Obsession, their annual food festival, now in its 17th year which included 23 chefs with a combined total of 16 Michelin stars. The Northcote Leisure Group also includes Northcote at the Rovers and Ribble Valley Inns, a portfolio of award winning food led pubs which is expected to expand further in the next twelve months. In June 2016 they launched Cafe Northcote at the Cathedral Quarter in Blackburn creating 15 jobs and two apprenticeships with a work placement and training partnership with Blackburn College.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 9
TIM BIRD MARY MCLAUGHLIN CHESHIRE CAT PUBS & BARS Brands: The Roebuck Inn, The Fitzherbert Arms, The Cholmondeley Arms, The Church Inn, The Three Greyhounds Inn, The Red Lion, The Bulls Head Sites: 7 Number of employees: 140 Key locations: Cheshire, Dorset, Staffordshire
10 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Best Food Offer – The Publican Awards 2017 Shortlist The Fitzherbert Arms - Best new Pub/bar - The Publican Awards 2017 Shortlist - Best Pub Group in the UK 2016/17 – Good Pub Guide - The Church Inn – North West Pub & Bar of the Year and National Pub & Bar of the Year – 2016 National Pub & Bar Awards Biography: Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars was founded in 2008 by Tim Bird and Mary McLaughlin. Tim had been MD of Brunning and Price and the Freehouse Pub Company in the Restaurant Group while Mary had been MD of La Tasca and grew the Spanish restaurant chain from three to over seventy restaurants nationwide. They currently operate seven famous pubs, all of which originally were either closed or on the verge of closure, and enjoy the challenge of restoring beautiful pubs that many would consider to be lost causes.
KEN BUCKLEY PHILIP DEARDEN BRAVO INNS Brands: Bravo Inns Sites: 40 Number of Employees: 50+ Key Locations: Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire
Biography: With 40 sites across the North West, and employing over 50 people, Bravo Inns is at the vanguard of breathing life back into community pubs in the area, putting real focus on the importance of the community in their offerings. Bravo Inns bought the York Hotel in Lancaster Road from Mitchell’s in November 2016 and are spending around £250,000 on an extensive refurbishment which includes the inside being opened up and fully modernised and due to open in April 2017. They have just announced the the acquisition of two sites in Padiham and Morecambe.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 11
MARIE CARTER BEAU MYERS BEAUTIFUL DRINKS Brands: Almost Famous, Home Sweet Home, Keko Moku, Luck Lust Liquor and Burn Sites: 8 Number of employees: 300 Key Locations: Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester
12 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Directors of Beautiful Drinks, Marie Carter and Beau Myers, have cemented their status throughout the North, with flagship ‘burgers and booze’ brand Almost Famous operating successfully across Liverpool, Leeds, and two Manchester sites. While their other operations include Luck Lust Liquor and Burn, which contributes to Manchester’s growing appetite for Mexican food, tiki-bar Keko Moku and Northern Quarter favourite Home Sweet Home.
PAUL COGAN, RACHEL FELLOW, PHILIP HANSON CLARE MORROW, BERENICE SMITH, LESLEY WILD BETTY AND TAYLORS GROUP Brands: Bettys Tea Rooms, Bettys Cookery School, Taylors of Harrogate, Yorkshire Tea Sites: 6 Number of employees: 1500 Key locations: Yorkshire
Recent Awards: - Bettys - Outstanding Customer Service – Yorkshire White Rose Awards - Bettys – Best Medium Group Restaurant Employer – Caterer.com Best Employers in Hospitality Awards 2016 Biography: The business started in 1919 when Frederick Belmont, a talented and ambitious Swiss confectioner, arrived in Yorkshire, married a local girl and opened his first Bettys Café Tea Rooms in Harrogate. Nearly 100 years later Bettys & Taylors is a vibrant and thriving family business with six Bettys Café Tea Rooms, a Craft Bakery, a Cookery School, online shop and one of the country’s most respected tea and coffee merchants, Taylors of Harrogate. Taylors blends Yorkshire Tea, the third best selling tea in the UK, as well as Taylors market leading roast and ground coffees, and a range of speciality teas.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 13
SARAH COOK HARRY VAULKHARD OLIVER VAULKHARD VAULKHARD GROUP Brands: Blake’s, Central Bean, Pacific House, Blackie Boy, Bealim House, Barluga, All Seeing Eye, The Mushroom, Quilted Camel, MSA, Perdu Sites: 15 Key locations: Morpeth, Newcastle & Sheffield
14 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Vaulkhard Group was formed in 2015 when four businesses run by different members of the Vaulkhard family were merged. A three-year plan to rejuvenate its portfolio began, which involved spending more than £600,000 on transforming Fluid bar in Gallowgate into gin bar and restaurant Bealim House, complete with its own gin distillery and laying down plans to remodel The Quilted Camel, Perdu and Blake’s Coffee House. Now accounts for Vaulkhard Group have shown how investments have paid off, with turnover growing to over £10m in the year ended March 2016.
SUE CRIMES GUSTO Brands: Gusto Sites: 16 Number of employees: 700 Key Locations: Cheshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Leeds Lytham & West Bridgford Recent Awards: - Gusto Didsbury – Best Italian Restaurant at National Food Awards
Biography: Inspired by the traditional grand cafés of Europe, Gusto offers classic and contemporary Italian food and is one of the key brands in the Living Ventures portfolio. In 2016 three additional sites have opened in Birmingham, Leamington Spa and Lytham and 2017 has seen the opening in West Bridgford converting a former pub. Further national growth is planned and within the next four to five years there is a target to more than double the number of sites, with a total of 26 cited as a specific goal.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 15
MORGAN DAVIES BARBURRITO Brands: Barburrito Sites: 22 Number of Employees: 200 Key Locations: Aberdeen, Cardiff, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Derby & Gateshead
16 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Under the leadership of Founder & CEO Morgan Davies, Barburrito has become one of the leading Mexican food brands in the UK. 2016 has seen openings of Barburrito in shopping centres in Aberdeen, Derby (opening in 2017) and Gateshead as well as completing the rebrand of the Pinto Mexican Kitchen’s five sites across Edinburgh and Glasgow. More sites are planned for London Paddington and Sheffield.
STEWART DAVIES RYAN GIGGS GARY NEVILLE GG HOSPITALITY Brands: Café Football, Hotel Football, Rabbit In The Moon Sites: 3 Number of employees: 410 Key locations: London & Manchester
Biography: Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs came up with the idea of starting a hospitality company after travelling the world during their football careers. They have assembled a team of industry experts with decades of experience, who will each bring something different to the table and something unique to GG Hospitality, including Stewart Davies as group operations director and Michael O’Hare as creative director. Their latest opening is The Rabbit In The Moon at the top of the National Football Museum and further expansion plans include a 200 roomed hotel and a 35 room boutique hotel with two restaurants in Manchester and the first overseas restaurant will open in Singapore in 2017.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 17
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JIMMY DEL GIUDICE MARK MCQUATER REVOLUTION BARS GROUP PLC Brands: Revolución de Cuba, Revolution Sites: 66 Number of Employees: 2400 Key Locations: Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, London, Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Midlands, South West, South East & Scotland
18 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Listed in The Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work for 2016 Biography: With a strong national presence, Revolution Bars Group is a leading operator of premium bars across the UK. In the past year they have opened Revolucion de Cuba in Liverpool, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Harrogate, Aberdeen, Reading & Glasgow and a new look Revolution in Stafford. Revolution Bars Group has reported like-forlike sales rose 2% for the six months ended 31 December 2016 with revenue over £66m and confirmed plans to open a further 6 bars in 2017.
CARLO DISTEFANO, MARCELLO DISTEFANO SAN CARLO GROUP Brands: Cicchetti, Bottega, Flying Pizza, Fiorentina, Fumo, Gran Café, Pizza Madre, San Carlo, Signor Sassi Sites: 17 Number of Employees: 1000 Key Locations: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Bangkok, Qatar, Bahrain and Dubai opening soon.
Biography: Beginning in 1992 with one 20 cover restaurant in Birmingham, the family owned San Carlo restaurant group has grown to become one of the UK’s leading, independently owned Italian restaurant groups, with several different brands located throughout the UK & internationally. 2016 saw the opening of Fumo St Martins Lane, London with additional sites also being looked at in London and Liverpool. San Carlo Group also acquired 47 King Street West opposite San Carlo and Cicchetti in Manchester and announced plans in January 2017 to open it in late spring as a new brand concept, Pizza Madre, serving traditional Neapolitan wood-fired pizza as well as great value wines and Italian craft beers.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 19
JAMES DOUGLAS SCOTT MUNRO RED’S TRUE BARBECUE Brands: Red’s True Barbecue Sites: 8 Number of Employees: 300+ Key Locations: Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham & Sheffield Recent Awards: - Best Marketing Campaign – Cateys 2016
20 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Leeds-based American smokehouse Red’s True Barbecue has experienced rapid growth since opening its first site in 2012, they have since expanded to a total of eight sites, with over 300 members of staff. Their latest opening was in Newcastle in November 2016. James & Scott have teamed up with Arc Inspirations, North Bar and other brands to launch a new food and drink academy in Leeds as a joint venture between Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Business Improvement District (BID), and the city council to support the growing industries in the area.
ROY ELLIS, NEIL MACLEOD, DAN MULLEN JOEL WILKINSON, ADELAIDE WINTER MISSION MARS Brands: Albert Hall, Albert’s Schloss, Deaf Institute, Gorilla, Trof NQ Sites: 5 Number of Employees: 480 Key Locations: Manchester
Biography: Founded in August 2015 when Roy Ellis and Neil Macleod purchased a 50% stake in Joel Wilkinson and Adelaide Winter’s Trof Group, Mission Mars fully launched with the opening of Albert’s Schloss in October 2015. In October 2016, Ellis reported that Mission Mars has hit annual turnover of £23m, three years after launch. Its other concept, Albert’s Schloss, the £3.5m bar, restaurant and live entertainment concept that opened last October in Manchester, has averaged £250,000 a week since launch in October 2015. The team are now looking to open Albert’s Schloss in London.
Recent Awards: - Albert’s Schloss – Bar of the Year and shortlisted as Newcomer of the year at Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2016 - Albert’s Schloss - Best Destination Opening at CGA Peach Awards 2016
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 21
JOHN ENNIS MATTHEW FARRELL NICK THOMAS GRAFFITI SPIRIT Brands: 81 Ltd, 83 Ltd, Salt Dog Slims, El Bandito, Santa Chupitos, Santa Maluco, Slim’s Pork Chop Express Sites: 6 Number of Employees: 75 Key Locations: Liverpool
22 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Inclusion in top 5 regional tourism businesses at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards - Merseyside Independent Business Awards – directors shortlisted and all highly commended in the Independent Business Person of the Year category. - Founders John Ennis and Matthew Farrell in North West Business Insider’s 2016 acclaimed 42 under 42. Biography: Graffiti Spirit are an independently owned cocktail bar and restaurant company based in Liverpool. Over the last 7 years, they have been integral to Liverpool’s transforming nightlife, creating some of the city’s most unique and award-winning venues. Growing at a rate of one new venue every 18 months, they have very exciting plans to go further afield over the next few years. The latest opening is new pizzeria Santa Maluco in July 2016 on Castle Street in Liverpool and there are also plans for an El Bandito pop up in London later in 2017.
GED FELTHAM PAUL LANE LEELEX Brands: Cielo Blanco, Jake’s Bar, Neon Cactus, Oporto, Pintura, Portobello Star Sites: 7 No of Employees: 145 Key Locations: Leeds, London
Biography: Leelex is a bar, restaurant and music company currently operating seven sites across Leeds and London. The company produces its own gin at their London venue the Portobello Star, and are also partners in Dead Young, a record label and live music company. 2016 saw new London openings of a second Cielo Blanco restaurant and a ‘gin hotel’, The Distillery, in Portobello Road. In January 2017, plans were confirmed to expand Pintura with an opening in Manchester in 2018 in the new Manchester Hall development taking over the Freemason’s Hall in Bridge Street.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 23
JOBE FERGUSON, ROSS MACKENZIE BLACK DOG BALLROOM & THE LIAR’S CLUB LYNDON HIGGINSON THE LIAR’S CLUB Brands: Black Dog Ballroom, Cane & Grain, Crazy Pedro’s, Dog Bowl, The Liar’s Club, Xolo and Science + Industry. Sites: 9 Number of Employees: 250 Key Locations: Manchester
24 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Lyndon Higginson, nominated for Imbibe Personality of the Year 2016 in the Bar category - Science + Industry – Bar of the Year (shortlist) Manchester Food & Drink Festival Awards Biography: From bars, to bowling to dining, Jobe Ferguson, Ross Mackenzie and Lyndon Higginson provide a significant contribution to Manchester’s nightlife with their various operations. 2016 saw the opening to great acclaim of Science + Industry, upstairs from Cane & Grain, and the second Crazy Pedros in the Northern Quarter. In addition Jobe also operates the Northern Quarter Restaurant and Bar TNQ and Lyndon Higginson operates Junkard Golf and The Golden Pineapple.
DUNCAN FISHER THE APARTMENT GROUP Brands: As You Like It, Florita’s, House of Smith, the Joiner’s Arms, Liberty Brown, Madame Koo, Mr Lynch, Nancy’s Bordello, Newton Hall, Le Petit Chateau, Saucy Burger and William de Percy Inn & Creperie. Sites: 12 Number of Employees: 400
Recent Awards: - Le Petit Chateau and Newton Hall ‘Regional Best Newcomer’ the 2017 Wedding Industry Awards - As You Like It shortlisted ‘Best City Wedding Venue’ the UK Wedding Awards Biography: Operating across the North East, from Newcastle’s city centre to Northumberland’s spectacular coastline, Duncan Fisher’s The Apartment Group consists of a variety of bars, pubs and hotels. Let Petit Chateau opened in August 2016, following a multimillion pound renovation of the Percy Arms Hotel into a wedding and function venue creating a stunning French chateau with spectacular Mediterranean gardens in the middle of Northumberland. In April 2016, the transformation was completed of the Dr Feelgood outlet into a new brand Saucy Burger in Sunderland.
Key Locations: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 25
CHARLES GRAVES KIT GRAVES DANI HOPE LAKE DISTRICT HOTELS Brands: Borrowdale Hotel, George Hotel, Inn on the Lake, Inn on the Square, Kings Arms Hotel, Lodore Falls Hotel, Skiddaw Hotel Sites: 7 Number of Employees: 300+ Key Locations: Lake District
26 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Lake District Hotels is a family owned collection of 7 hotels, restaurants and bars, established in 1984 by Kit and Charles Graves when they bought the Kings Arms Hotel in Keswick. Their daughter Daniella joined the business in 2011. Lodore Falls is the latest hotel in the group to undergo a complete renovation after refurbishing the ground oor of the hotel in January 2017. Phase 2 will see a new function room and conservatory followed by a brand-new brasserie. Phase 3 will see a new luxury spa with panoramic mountain and lake vistas and 18 new bedrooms, ready for mid-2018.
JOHN GYNGELL CHRISTIAN TOWNSLEY NORTH BAR NORTH BREWING Brands: North Bar, The Cross Keys, Further North, Alfred, Preston, North Bar Social Sites: 7 Number of employees: 60 Key locations: Leeds, Harrogate
Biography: John Gyngell and Christian Townsley opened North Bar in 1997 in Leeds and over the past 16 years North Bar has expanded into a ‘brand’ or ‘group’ with six bars across Leeds and Harrogate. North Bar Co recently announced record baking sales over the Christmas period with turnover up 21%. John & Christian also operate North Brewing Co producing their own and collaboration beers. North Bar teamed up with Arc Inspirations, Red True Barbecue and other brands to launch a new food and drink academy in Leeds as a joint venture between Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Business Improvement District (BID), and the city council to support the growing industries in the area.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 27
JAMIE HAWKSWORTH JONATHON HOLDSWORTH PIVOVAR TAPPED BREW CO Brands: Tap Bars, Pivni, Pavement Vaults & Tapped Leeds Sites: 7 Number of employees: 200 Key locations: Leeds, Harrogate, Newcastle, Sheffield, London & York Recent Awards: - Sheffield Tap - Great British Pub Awards 2016 - Best Drinks Offer – The Publican Awards 2017 Shortlist
28 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Jamie Hawksworth and Jonathon Holdsworth grew up just a few miles apart in Derbyshire and both went to Leeds University and studied Civil Engineering with Architecture. After a trip to Prague, they partnered with Czech brewery Bernard, setting up contracts with supermarket giant Tesco as well as getting the beers listed within 600 national stores. Getting the beers listed in pubs was another matter, however, triggering the creation of the pub portfolio, starting with Pivni in York in 2007. In 2008 Jamie spotted a derelict unused room at Sheffield station and 18 months later Jon and Jamie signed the lease for what would be the Sheffield Tap which opened in December 2009. Since then the Euston Tap, York Tap and Tapped Leeds have followed, all totally different and no sign of ‘chain bar’. In January 2017 Pivovar outlined plans for the Newcastle Tap venturing in the North East for the first time.
CHRIS HILL NEW WORLD TRADING CO Brands: The Botanist, The Club House, The Oast House, Smuggler’s Cove, The Trading House Sites: 15 Number of Employees: 1000 Key Locations: Alderley Edge, Chester, Birmingham, Farnham, Glasgow, Manchester, Marlow, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Newcastle Sheffield & York
Recent Awards: - 6 nominations in The Publican Awards 2017 including Best Managed Pub Co (2-50), Best Pub Employer (500+), Best Pub Ops Team, Best Pub & Brand Concept, Best Drinks Offer and Best New Pub / Bar - Ranked tenth in 2017 Sunday Times Best Places to work list - The Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 recognised The New World Trading Company (NWTC) as one of the top 32 companies in the UK for its successful financial growth.
Biography: In June 2016, New World Trading Co was acquired by Graphite Capital for £50m from Living Ventures. Since then under the management of Chris Hill, the company has grown steadily with the recent announcement of £23m investment from Nat West to help deliver plans to open 6-7 sites a year. During 2016 The Botanist has opened in Sheffield & York with further sites planned in Didsbury and Reading plus a pub in Birmingham under the brand Canal House.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 29
CHRIS HOPKINS HYDES BREWERY Brands: Hydes Sites: 60 Number of Employees: 440 Key Locations: North Wales, North West
30 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Shortlisted in Best Managed Pub Co – The Publican Awards 2017
Biography: With over 150 years of history, Hydes Brewery is one of Manchester’s most significant brewers and pub operators. Their portfolio currently consists of approximately 60 sites located throughout the North West of England and North Wales. The acquisition of Woodward & Falconer Pub Co’s four pubs has helped towards turnover for 2015-2016 grow to nearly £30m.
BEN JONES MATTHEW JONES JONES BAR GROUP
Brands: 51% Bourbon, Bar 166 & Bistro, Hirst’s Yard, Parkside Tavern, Roxy Ball Room, Roxy Lanes, The Shed Bar & Epic Cocktail Bar. Sites: 12 Number of Employees: 180
Biography: Operating out of Leeds, Jones Bar Group is managed by brothers Matthew and Ben Jones, who oversee a range of bars and restaurants. Over the past year they have opened Roxy Ballroom in Huddersfield and converted Brooklyn Bar into Epic Cocktail Club. 2017 will see Roxy Ballroom opening in Manchester and Nottingham.
Key Locations: Huddersfield, Leeds, Liverpool
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 31
KIM KAEWKRAIKHOT MARTIN STEAD THAI LEISURE GROUP Brands: Thaikhun, Chaophraya, Yeerah & Chaobaby Sites: 21 Number of Employees: 1000 Key Locations: Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bath, Aberdeen, Manchester, Gateshead, Newcastle, Cambridge, Oxford, Guildford, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield & Southampton
32 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Thai Leisure Group has ambitious plans over the next 3 years to cement its place as the leading Thai restaurant operator in the UK and grow the estate to 35 restaurants. Over the past year, Thaikhun has opened in Southampton, Guildford, Gateshead and Bath and Chaophraya in Aberdeen and Newcastle. Nine of their restaurants across the three brands have received the “Thai Select” premium seal by the Royal Thai government aimed at increasing the recognition of Thai restaurants and authentic Thai cuisine around the world.
BAN KAEWKRAIKHOT SUKHOTHAI Brands: Sukhothai, Zaap Sites: 6 Number of employees: 300 Key locations: Leeds, Harrogate, Newcastle & Nottingham
Recent Awards: - Shortlisted for Best World Restaurant – 2016 Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards Biography: Ban ran a successful restaurant in Bangkok for eight years before relocating to the UK to head up a well-known Yorkshire restaurant for a further four years. She opened the first Sukhothai restaurant in the heart of Chapel Allerton closely followed by in Harrogate and a two more in Leeds. In 2015, Ban launched the Zaap brand first in Leeds and Nottingham and a third opened in Newcastle in October 2016.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 33
TERRY LAYBOURNE 21 HOSPITALITY GROUP Brands: 21, the Broad Chare, Café 21 at Fenwick, Caffé Vivo, Ko Sai, Saltwater Fish Company
Recent Awards: - The Broad Chare listed in the 2017 Top 50 Gastro Pubs by Morning Advertiser
Sites: 6
Biography: Starting in 1988 with his 21 Queen Street restaurant, chef Terry Laybourne has since overseen the development of the 21 Hospitality Group, now consisting of six different restaurants located throughout Newcastle upon Tyne. Laybourne was also instrumental in the multimillion-pound redevelopment of Fenwick Food Hall, with Fuego Bar & Restaurant and new concepts, the healthy Asian street food of Ko Sai and the fast, casual seafood dining of the Saltwater Fish Company.
Number of Employees: 200 Key Locations: Newcastle
34 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
WILLIAM LEES JONES JW LEES Brands: The Alderley Edge Hotel, JW Lees Brewery, JW Lees Pubs, Willoughby’s Wine Merchants, the Trearddur Hotel Sites: 149 pubs Number of Employees: 1000+
Biography: Founded in 1828, family-owned brewery JW Lees announced a record year at its 2016 conference in Manchester with sales up 0.2% to £64.1m and pre-tax profits up 1.8% to £5.7m. The business is making progress on all fronts with each of its three trading divisions, managed pubs, tenanted pubs and brewery, in growth. they remain hungry for acquisitions of both managed and tenanted pubs as well as hotels in the North West. In October 2016 the JW Lees Chef’s Academy was launched with a debut course at Trafford College to recognise and harness the talents of their trainee chefs.
Key Locations: North Wales, North West
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 35
COLIN MANNING GARY MANNING 60 HOPE STREET Brands: 60 Hope Street, HOST, The Quarter Sites: 3 Number of Employees: 125 Key Locations: Liverpool
36 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: With three sites across Liverpool – 60 Hope Street, HOST, and The Quarter – brothers Colin and Gary Manning have become key players in Liverpool’s restaurant scene. With the contemporary dining of 60 Hope Street, the Asian-fusion of HOST and the Italian-inspired The Quarter, the brothers offer up a variety of dining options. In September 2015, GQ magazine listed HOST in its Liverpool City Guide, citing it as a superior alternative to many of Liverpool’s Chinatown restaurants.
TOMAS MAUNIER ROBERT MELMAN CITY DISTRICT GROUP Brands: Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, Bossa Brazilian Grill, Picanha by Fazenda Sites: 5 Number of Employees: 270
Biography: City District Group currently operate three Fazenda sites in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. The group are said to have plans to open a fourth location in Birmingham. In 2016 they opened new concepts Picanha in Chester and Bossa Brazilian Grill restaurant in Leeds. Both of these new brands are set to roll out to other locations.
Key Locations: Chester, Leeds, Liverpool & Manchester Recent Awards: - Tomas Maunier - Insider's 42 under 42 class of 2016
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 37
NEIL MCDONNELL, JOHN WELSH JASON BLIGH, ROB BACON HICKORY’S SMOKEHOUSE Brands: Hickory’s Smokehouse, Barlounge & Upstairs at the Grill Sites: 7 Number of employees: 600+ Key locations: Cheshire, West Midlands, Merseyside, Wales, Warwickshire
38 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - 2010 Best Newcomer – Chester Food & Drink Festival awards - 2015 Best Large Restaurant – Cheshire Food & Drink Awards
Biography: Hickory’s Smokehouse was launched by Barlounge and Upstairs at The Grill founder Neil McDonnell in March 2010. They received a private equity investment of £6m in 2014 with a plan to open 10 restaurants in three to five years and one year on sales have risen to almost £15m. There are now Hickory sites in Chester, West Kirby, Burton Green, Wall Heath and Rhos-on-Sea. In January 2017, they unveiled a new look for Barlounge extending the bar, improved diner experience and revamped rest rooms.
STEPHEN MILES RADISSON BLU EDWARDIAN MANCHESTER Brands: Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester Sites: 1 Number of Employees: 230 Key Locations: Manchester
Recent Awards: - Listed in Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Award Biography: Located in Manchester’s historic Free Trade Hall, the Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester is Manchester’s only five-star hotel. A key influencer in the north west hospitality industry, Stephen is also the chairman of the British Hospitality Association North and a board member of Hospitality Action, a charity that supports hospitality workers who have fallen on hard times. He also holds the role of Master Inn Holder and is a fellow of the Institute of Hospitality.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 39
PAUL MORAN JEREMY ROBERTS LIVING VENTURES Brands: The Alchemist, Artisan, Australasia, Blackhouse, Gusto, Manchester House & Red Door Sites: 38 Number of Employees: 1400 Key Locations: Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Midlands, North East, North West
40 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Manchester House & Australasia – Premium & Fine Dining Venue Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2016 Shortlist - Aiden Byrne – Chef of the Year Manchester Food & Drink Festival 2016 shortlist - Red Door – Late Night Operator in The Publican Awards 2017 Shortlist - IOD NW Director of the Year – Chairman’s Award to Tim Bacon
Biography: With an extensive portfolio of bars, pubs and restaurants throughout the UK, Living Ventures are one of the country’s leading hospitality providers. This year The Alchemist has joined Gusto and New World Trading Co, to be included individually in this year’s NRB Top Fifty. It has been a momentous year for Living Ventures with the launch of the Tim Bacon Foundation, the sale of New World Trading Co, launch of Red Door in Manchester in the old Living Room venue and several openings for both Gusto and The Alchemist.
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
LUCY NELSON ANDREW NELSON NELSON HOTELS Brands: The Bear’s Paw, the Fishpool Inn, Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa & the Pheasant Inn Sites: 4
Recent Awards: - The Pheasant Inn and the Bear’s Paw - Dining Pub of the Year shortlist, Cheshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2016 - Silver Awards & 4 star Quality In Tourism Awards VisitEngland
Biography: Nelson Hotels is a family-owned collection of individual venues offering the highest of standards in food, drink and accommodation. All based within Cheshire the Nelson Hotels family includes the luxury 4 star Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa in Chester as well as their three exceptional gastro inns.
Number of employees: 240 Key Locations: Cheshire
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 41
JOYCELYN NEVE THE SEAFOOD PUB COMPANY Brands: The Alma Inn, Assheton Arms, Barley Mow, Derby Arms, Farmers Arms, The Fenwick, Forest, Oyster & Otter, Rooster’s Bistro & Town Green Brasserie, Red Lion Sites: 11 Number of Employees: 300 Key Locations: Lancashire and Yorkshire
42 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Joycelyn Neve- Pub & Bar Award at The Cateys 2016 - Assheton Arms - Top 50 Gastropubs with Morning Advertiser - Best Premium Food Offering – The Publican Awards 2017(shortlist) - Anthony Shirley, Executive Chef - Best Pub Group Chef at the Farm Frites Development Chef Awards 2015 Biography: Joycelyn Neve set up the Seafood Pub Company in 2010, combining her family’s heritage in the fishing industry with her passion for highest quality food and relaxed service. Today, the Seafood Pub Company operates ten sites across Lancashire, with accommodation added to a number of the sites in order to diversify the customer base. It is now set to grow over the next 3-5 years after announcing at £18m majority stake deal from Penta Capital in July 2016, with 20 sites targeted for development within the next few years. They have just acquired their first site in Yorkshire announced in February 2017.
MICHAEL O’HARE THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN Brands: The Man Behind the Curtain, The Rabbit In The Moon Sites: 2 Number of Employees: 20 Key Locations: Leeds & Manchester
Recent Awards: - Michael O’Hare competed in the 2015 series of the Great British Menu, he won the North East heat and his fish course made the banquet menu - Michelin Star, The Man behind the Curtain, September 2015
Biography: The Man Behind The Curtain has maintained its Michelin star status and it will be moving to a new space in the same Leeds building in June 2017. Following his appointment as Creative Director for GG Hospitality, Michael opened a 'space-age Asian' restaurant called The Rabbit in the Moon at the National Football Museum in Manchester in January 2017. Michael is also due to set up a fine dining restaurant - The Man Who Fell To Earth, and a less formal restaurant called Are Friends Electric within a new Manchester hotel at the Manchester Stock Exchange.
Photos taken by Jack Johns courtesy of Krug. Art by Scoph.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 43
ANDREW PERN THE STAR AT HAROME STAR INN THE CITY Brands: The Star at Harome, Star Inn the City , Mr P’s Curious Tavern & The Star Inn The Harbour Sites: 4 Number of Employees: 180 Key Locations: Harome, York & Whitby
44 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Number 1 in Top 50 Gastropubs by Morning Advertiser Biography: Andrew Pern’s name is synonymous with that of his pub The Star at Harome, consistently appearing on a host of awards’ lists. The Star at Harome was awarded a Michelin star from 2002 to 2010 inclusive and once again in 2015 to the present day. In August 2016, Andrew opened Mr P’s Curious Tavern in York and in Spring 2017 Star Inn The Harbour will open in Whitby.
STEVE PILLING SIMON STANLEY DAMSON GROUP Brands: Damson, Dockyard, Guilty by Association, La Cantina, The Red Lion and Lost in Tokyo Sites: 7 Key Locations: Greater Manchester, Stockport
Biography: As co-owners of the Damson Group, Steve Pilling and Simon Stanley have a range of restaurants and bars throughout Greater Manchester and Stockport, from the fine dining of both Damson restaurants to underground Northern Quarter bar Guilty by Association. In October 2016 they opened two outlets of their new tapas brand La Cantina in Heaton Moor and Didsbury and announced plans to expand the Dockyard Pub brand into Leeds, moving out of Manchester for the first time.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 45
JONATHAN POOLE PADDY SMITH RED AND BLUE Brands: Hanover Street Social, Salt House Bacaro, Salt House Tapas Sites: 3 Number of Employees: 125 Key Locations: Liverpool Recent Awards: - Hanover Street Social and Salt House Bacaro are included in Harden’s 2017 Best UK Restaurants
46 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: As Directors of Red and Blue, Jonathan Poole and Paddy Smith oversee the management of three restaurants in Liverpool, including the brasserie and bar of Hanover Street Social, the Spanish-inspired Salt House Tapas, and the Venetian small plates of Salt House Bacaro.
SIMON POTTS THE ALCHEMIST Brands: The Alchemist Sites: 9 Number of employees: 500 Key Locations: Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, London, Birmingham, Alderley Edge, Liverpool
Biography Simon Potts has been with Living Ventures since 2004 and was part of the management buyout of The Alchemist brand with the company and Palatine Private Equity (PPE) in 2015, becoming its managing director later that same year. Since Simon took over The Alchemist, the company has stepped up its expansion process with the aim of opening four or five sites a year and the ambition to have at least one site in every major city. Liverpool and Birmingham are the latest openings, joining two sites in Manchester, two in Leeds, one in London and one in Alderley Edge, Cheshire
Recent Awards: − The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2017 − The Alchemist Birmingham - Best New Pub/ Bar – The Publican Awards 2017 shortlist − Best Drinks Offer – CGA Peach’s Hero & Icon Awards 2016
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 47
OLIVER ROBINSON FREDERIC ROBINSON Brands: Robinsons Brewery Sites: 280 pubs and a brewery & packaging centre Number of Employees: 600 Key Locations: North West
48 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Robinsons Brewery Experience, Gold Award, VisitEngland - Robinsons Brewery Experience, Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor
Biography: With 280 sites, Frederic Robinson was founded in Stockport in 1838, Robinsons now has pubs across the North West, North Wales, the West Midlands and the East Midlands. Its beers include Unicorn, Wizard, Dizzy Blonde, Old Tom and Trooper. Profits for 2015 calendar year climbed by 20 per cent to £3.6m helped by a strong export performance from Trooper, which was created in collaboration with the heavy metal band Iron Maiden.
SIMON ROGAN UMBEL RESTAURANT GROUP Brands: L’Enclume, Fera, Rogan & Company
Recent Awards: - L’Enclume named top restaurant in The Good Food Guide for fourth year.
Sites: 3
Biography: Simon Rogan’s Umbel Restaurant Group encompasses Fera, L’Enclume and Rogan & Company. In announcing its annual list of the best restaurants in Britain and, The Good Food Guide named Cumbria's L'Enclume for the fourth year in a row, in the coveted top spot after being awarded the full 10 points thanks to the "soaring sophistication" of chef Simon Rogan's cooking. In October 2016, plans were announced to open a retail shop in Cartmel selling L’Enclume branded keepsakes and edible produce.
Number of Employees: 90 Key Locations: Cartmel, London
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 49
FRANCO SOTGIU SOLITA Brands: Solita Bar & Grill, The Bouncing Czech Sites: 5 Number of Employees: 125 Key Locations: Didsbury, Manchester, Prestwich & Preston Recent Awards: - Solita NQ listed in Sunday Times Best Cheap Eats - Northwest
50 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Solita Bar & Grill has continued to expand in 2016. In April they announced the purchase of its biggest site outside of Manchester buying The Olive Press and Heathcote’s Brasserie from respected chef Paul Heathcote in Preston. Solita Preston opened July 2016 making the fourth site with Manchester NQ, Didsbury & Prestwich. In October 2016, they launched The Bouncing Czech in partnership with the Kozel beer brand transforming Montpellier’s which they had acquired in February 2016.
CHRIS URE MARTIN WOLSTENCROFT ARC INSPIRATIONS Brands: Arc, Banyan, The Box, Kith & Kin, Manahatta, Napa, The Pit, Trio Sites: 15 Number of Employees: 600 Key Locations: Harrogate, Leeds, Manchester
Recent Awards: - Banyan Bar & Kitchen (Leeds) - Shortlisted for the Best New Pub / Bar in The Publican 2017 Awards Biography: Owners Chris Ure and Martin Wolstencroft have seen Leeds-based bar group Arc Inspirations grow into a £19 million turnover business. Further growth is planned, with a plan to reach a total of 20 sites by 2018. Turnover is forecast to increase by 27% to £24m this financial year. Arc Inspirations have teamed up with Red’s True Barbecue, North Bar and other brands to launch a new food and drink academy in Leeds as a joint venture between Leeds Beckett University, Leeds Business Improvement District (BID), and the city council to support the growing industries in the area.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 51
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
GARY USHER STICKY WALNUT Brands: Sticky Walnut, Burnt Truffle, Hispi, Wreckfish Sites: 3 No of employees: 60 Key Locations: Cheshire, Manchester & Merseyside Recent Awards: - Gary Usher listed in the 13 Most Important UK Chefs for 2016, Olive Magazine
52 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Biography: Gary Usher took over a rundown restaurant in Chester and turned it into a successful bistro, opening Sticky Walnut in 2011. Four years later Gary and his team opened restaurant number two, Burnt Truffle, after an innovative Kickstarter campaign exceeded expectations and made it possible. Usher opened a third site, the 85-cover Hispi Bistro, Didsbury in 2016 after a huge
crowdfunding campaign which generated over £60,000 in pledges. Plans were unveiled in early 2017 on twitter for a fourth restaurant, Wreckfish Bistro, which had gained 1,500 followers in the space of five tweets. Wreckfish recently opened as a pop up in derelict 19th Century watchmakers in Ropewalls, Liverpool. A third crowd funding campaign is about to start to launch Wreckfish in a permanent home.
STEVEN WALKER INDIVIDUAL RESTAURANTS Brands: BarBBQ On Ice, Bank, Gino D’Acampo, Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill Sites: 35 Number of Employees: 1371 Key Locations: Glasgow, Midlands, North East, North West, London and Yorkshire
Biography: With over 30 sites nationwide, Individual Restaurants are one of the UK’s leading restaurant companies. Individual Restaurants’ new venue, Opera Grill in Chester’s Dining Quarter will be the flagship for its Restaurant Bar & Grill brand. With ambitions to step up the pace of new restaurant openings in the 2017 calendar year, four additional Gino D’Acampo sites in major UK cities in addition to the new Leeds city centre site are planned. Individual Restaurants has reported a profit and Ebitda boost as its revenues broke the £60m mark. The company, which operates the Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill brands, saw turnover increase 6% to £62.7m for continuing operations in the year ending 31 March 2016, compared with £59.4m the year before.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 53
MARC WILKINSON RESTAURANT FRAICHE Brands: Restaurant Fraiche Sites: 1 Number of Employees: 3 Key Locations: Oxton
54 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
Recent Awards: - Best restaurant Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants - Placed in the Top 20 restaurants in the Good Food Guide Biography: Retaining its Michelin star since 2009, Marc Wilkinson’s Restaurant Fraiche can be counted amongst the best restaurants in the UK, it was named as the best restaurant in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants, and placed in the top 20 in the Good Food Guide. The restaurant is so intimate in scale that Wilkinson mans the kitchen alone. he puts the desire to maintain this scale down to his ‘control freak’ nature. Affectionately known as ‘the Shed’, the restaurant’s tables book up months in advance.
ONES TO WATCH Whittling the nominations down to a final fifty was an arduous process, with some exciting and worthwhile operators not quite making the final cut this year. For this reason the judges wanted to highlight some of the people they consider worthy of close attention over the next twelve months. East Yorkshire-based multi-site operator Bar Inspirations have continued to expand, opening their sixth restaurant, Bird & Beer, in Beverley. Their diverse portfolio includes the first Roots Caribbean restaurant, the Mexican-themed El Chupitos, Fish and Chip Kitchen, and Aunt Bibby’s Smokehouse, all of which are in Hull.
Although two sites might seem a small number to catch the judges’ attention, the clear clarity of vision and concept behind Bundobust impressed. Following a move from a street-food pop-up to a first site in Leeds there has been a second larger Manchester operation, and a glowing review from Jay Rayner. A brand ripe for expansion.
Although Rose Four Group remain relatively lowkey their various operations underpin Leeds’ independent food scene. Belgrave Music Hall is a veritable institution, Headrow House and Ox Club have brought something new to the city, and Patty Smith’s Burgers and Dough Boys are much-loved local concepts.
Following a successful refurbishment of their Neighbourhood brand in Manchester East Coast Concepts has expanded to Liverpool with a major site on Castle St. The judges expect further expansion to follow, whilst their successful Victor’s restaurant in Hale has proven that they understand suburbs as well as city centres.
The owners of Volta, a neighbourhood restaurant in West Didsbury, and Electrik, a similarly sized music bar in Chorlton, were the surpise choices to ‘curate’ the restaurant and bar offering in the enormous Principal Hotel, Manchester. But they aced it, with The Refuge by Volta sending their profile through the roof.
IN MEMORIUM Tim Bacon Tim Bacon founded Living Ventures with his business partner Jeremy Roberts in 1999, the proud operator of some of the most exciting brands in the UK restaurant and bar market Living Ventures have created several successful brands including; The Living Room, Gusto, Blackhouse, New World Trading Company, The Alchemist, Australasia, Artisan, Manchester House, Red Door and Grand Pacific. Tim's personal fight against cancer was characterised by the positive and generous way he lived his life. A true inspiration to so many people in the hospitality industry. In his honour The Tim Bacon Foundation has been established which supports charities in the fight against cancer. For more information please visit timbaconfoundation.co.uk
Rodney Nutter Always one to let others shine Rodney Nutter was one of the backbones of the Nuttter’s Empire. His sheer drive, determination and passion behind the scenes at the original Nutter’s 23 years ago saw the forty seater restaurant relocate to the vast site of the manor. Latterly a derelict pub was bought, designed and became the Bird at Birtle, which launched in June 2016. Rodney ensured his vision was complete before he sadly passed away, but the huge crowds of family, friends, staff, ex-staff and suppliers at his funeral illustrated what a legacy he leaves behind.
NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK | 55
NRB Top Fifty is organised by
Holden Media Glossop Gasworks Arundel Street Glossop SK13 7AB
nrbtopfifty.co.uk
Holden Media also organise
Disclaimer Whilst every effort is made to ensure correct information at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. No part of this publication can be reproduced or printed without the permission of the publisher.
56 | NRBTOPFIFTY.CO.UK
CELEBRATING THE BEST nrbtopfifty.co.uk