Vodka bar eyes international Revolution

Revolution, the vodka bar chain, could be rolled out abroad as part of its ongoing roll-out strategy.

The 25-strong bar brand, which is owned by Inventive Leisure, offers 50 premium imported vodkas plus an array of 40 of its own flavoured vodkas ranging from Peanut Butter to Chilli to Dandelion & Burdock.

It recently announced full-year profits of £2.2m on sales up 55 per cent at £18.7m. The company opened 10 Revolution bars last year and is looking to open a further seven this financial year. It recently took its first step into London with a £1m Soho bar.

Roy Ellis and co-founder Neil Macleod opened their first Revolution in 1995 in Manchester. Inventive Leisure is quoted on AIM (Alternative Investment Market) with a value of about £30m, having listed 18 months ago.

Chief executive Roy Ellis said the company receives several approaches a month about taking the concept abroad. "It is something we are quietly looking at," he said. "Vodka is the biggest selling spirit in the world so there is now reason why it would not have the legs to work overseas.

"We are very much focused on the UK but it is something we would like to do in the long-term. We would probably do it with a partner in somewhere like Chicago or New York, or perhaps Australia."

Vodka sales in the UK have grown 40 per cent in the last four years.

Last Tuesday the Capital heralded the long-awaited arrival of its first Revolution outlet. We take a look at the story so far.