Bell joins Ladhar Group as finance director

Craig Bell, the former finance director of Premium Bars and Restaurants (PBR), has joined north-east bar operator Ladhar Group as finance director.

There is industry speculation that Ladhar Group may now be interested in acquiring a number of the six nightclub sites being run by PBR.

A new company, Ladhar Nightclubs, was incorporated earlier this year. Ladhar, which is owned by Baldev and Amarjit Ladhar, operates around 64 sites, mainly in the north-east.

The estate comprises bars, nightclubs and lap dance bars.

In 2007, Ladhar acquired 28 pubs formerly run by Wessex Taverns, a move that made the company the largest operator in the north-east. At the time, Baldev Ladhar said: "We are always looking for opportunities to grow the business."

Bell quit PBR when it decided to move its headquarters across the Penines to Chester. He knows the business well having served as finance director under Bob Senior when the business was called Ultimate Leisure.

PBR is shortly to send out an Information Memorandum as part of a move initiated by its banks to try to sell assets to reduce debt. Some think the move may also be an attempt to

convince its major shareholders the Reuben Brothers to inject more equity.