CEO Mark Loughborough tells The Morning Advertiser’s sister site, MCA, that the casual dining operator is evolving the offer at its Coppa Club and Noci brands, as it integrates a package of four sites acquired from Grosvenor Pubs.
“We’re not hungry to become the next big pub company,” he says. “We’ll add organic growth as and when we see the right venues come up.
“We’re always open to acquisition opportunities. But we’re not growing the portfolio just for the sake of it – only if [there are] synergies and we can slot it in with the central team.”
The company announced last week that it has exchanged on asset purchase agreements to acquire a four-strong portfolio of premium pubs with rooms for £11.5m. The operator also has an agreement in place with Grosvenor Pubs & Inns to potentially acquire a fifth site in the coming months.
Various Eateries also intends to change its name to the Coppa Collective, while adding a new core operating brand – the Linwood Collection – alongside Coppa Club and Noci.
The Linwood pubs-with-rooms business is seen as a resilient model amid a challenging market, and also “a part of the industry that’s back in trend,” Loughborough says.
“It’s an all-day offer that focuses on where the demand is, from breakfast to coffee to events,” he continues. “It’s a broad spectrum, whereas a lot of venues are restricted [to certain day parts].
“We’re looking at a resilient model with that breadth of offer. Noci is doing well, but operating in the toughest part of the market right now…demand is healthy elsewhere.”
- You can read the full interview on MCA, here.
