Brasserie Bar Co acquired by Alchemy
As part of the acquisition, Mark Derry will remain as executive chairman of the group while Richard Ferrier will remain as managing director
Brasserie Bar Co has been acquired by Alchemy Partners for an undisclosed sum, in a move that will reportedly underpin the group’s growth plan towards a portfolio of 70 pubs over the next five years.
The group was previously under the ownership of Soho Square Capital, during which time it grew into a business that has 1,300 employees across 14 brasseries and 18 pubs.
Brasserie Bar Co, which is behind brasserie and pub brands Brasserie Blanc and The White Brasserie Co, said it is influenced in part by chef patron, Raymond Blanc.
As part of the acquisition, Mark Derry will remain as executive chairman of the group while Richard Ferrier will remain as managing director.
Following the move, the group said it will also create a “significant” number of new roles and opportunities for those seeking to develop their skills and further their careers in hospitality.
Derry said: “This is a great deal for Brasserie Bar Co,which opens up the path for us to operate more pubs and provide more opportunities for our colleagues. This will enable us to build on our achievements to date and drive further growth across the Group.
“I would like to thank Soho Square Capital for their support and we look forward to working with Alchemy, who share our vision for accelerating the roll out our successful and differentiated pub offer.”
He added: “I would like to thank the whole team – led by Richard Ferrier, Chris Guy and Helen Melvin – for getting us to this point. Under their leadership, we have in place a winning combination of serving brasserie-quality food within historic and atmospheric pubs.
“It is an offer that customers love, and I am confident that the continued strength of our teams, our steadfast focus on food, and our outstanding locations, will drive future success and growth.”
Thomas Boszko, partner at Alchemy Partners, said: “Brasserie Bar Co do food-led pubs exceptionally well – a combination of their differentiated product and a very experienced team who know exactly what they’re doing.
“This investment is all about backing that team with the capital they need to expand the estate, both in leasehold but also freehold. We are confident in the future of the industry and believe there couldn’t be a better time to do this.”
Stephen Edwards, managing partner at Soho SquareCapital, concluded: “Brasserie Bar Co is an outstanding business which we are proud to have supported and we wish Mark, Richard and the Alchemy team every future success.”
