Bob & Berts to expand in Scotland after £2m BGF investment
Twenty new outlets are set to open in Scotland, creating 400 jobs.
Coffee shop chain Bob & Berts is poised to open its first outlet in Scotland after a £2 million backing from BGF.
The company has a chain of 16 eateries in its native Northern Ireland, and plans to open 30 stores over the next four years, creating up to 600 full- and part-time jobs in the process. Twenty of the new outlets are planned for Scotland, accounting for some 400 jobs, with the first stores expected to open in the Central Belt of Scotland in the coming months.
Colin McClean, co-owner of Bob & Berts, said, “The business is growing quickly and we are looking forward to taking the next step. We have successfully opened ten stores in the past two years and are looking to open a further 30 stores over the next four years.”
“Working with BGF will enable us to accelerate our growth plans and we are now actively looking at sites in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Fundamental to our growth plans will be maintaining the culture and the ethos that has made Bob & Berts a hit with our customers,” he added.
David Ferguson, co-owner of Bob & Berts, added, “When we set up Bob & Berts, we wanted to offer something different to large multi-national coffee chains. Our branding, food selection and interior design sets us apart from our competition and we believe we have created an environment that encourages people to relax. All of our new cafes will be created with this culture in mind.”
Costa Coffee and Casual Dining Group’s former chief finance officer Mohan Mansigani will join the board as non-executive chairman. Gemma Hamilton, an investor at BGF, will also join the board of Bob & Berts.
Patrick Graham, Head of BGF’s Central Scotland and Northern Ireland team, said, “We are excited to begin working with Colin and David who, in a short period, have successfully developed a strong brand with significant growth potential. This investment, along with the introduction of Mohan, who brings a wealth of experience to the company, will help unlock their desire and drive to expand significantly in the coming years and we look forward to partnering with the business for this journey.”
