Bob & Berts, a Northern Ireland, UK-based independent coffee shop chain, received a £2m equity investment.
Business Growth Fund, the UK’s most active investor in small and mid-sized companies, made the investment.
The company intends to use the funds for the continued growth strategy, with plans to open 30 additional stores in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Once opened, the new stores will create up to 600 new full time and part time jobs.
Founded in Portstewart by Colin McClean, his father Arnold and brother-in-law David Ferguson, Bob & Berts currently has 16 coffee shops across Northern Ireland in locations including Coleraine, Portstewart, Stranmillis, Lisburn, Omagh and Dungannon.
It provides artisan coffee, combined with a fresh food offering and a range of traybakes served throughout the day.
As part of its investment, industry expert Mohan Mansigani will be joining the board of Bob & Berts as the company’s non-executive chair. Mr Mansigani has held a number of senior management positions in the cafes and restaurant sector market and was instrumental in establishing the growth model for Costa Coffee in the UK.
Gemma Hamilton, an investor from BGF’s Northern Ireland team, will also join the board of Bob & Berts.
FinSMEs
28/08/2017