Two London gastropub operators expanding

Published: 14 January, 2011

Two London gastropub operators are beating the recession and scheduling new openings for 2011.

Two London gastropub operators are beating the recession and scheduling new openings for 2011.

Eight-strong ETM group, run by Ed and Tom Martin, is considering two new outlets; while Renaissance has its sights set on a sixth venue.

ETM, which doubled pre-tax profits last year to £661,665, is considering two central London sites which it says would be more in keeping with its latest bar-restaurant venture the Botanist than the rest of its pub estate.

Tom Martin said both venues would be "significant in terms of size and offering".

Talking to Harpers Wine & Spirit just after the group's "busiest-ever Christmas", Martin said the recession had forced it "not to rest on its laurels, but to focus on getting more customers through the door, and improving the offering".

Meanwhile one of Renaissance's founders, Mark Reynolds, said the group was in talks over a sixth site in Battersea. Reynolds said the group's December sales grew by 8% despite snowy weather putting a dent in party bookings. He added that the group had a strong start to the year, and was "positive about the year ahead".

Renaissance's five pubs, the Bolingbroke, the Avalon, the Abbeville, the Tommyfield and the Stonhouse, are all located in south London. The group was set up in 2000 by three childhood friends, Tom Peake, Nick Fox and Reynolds.

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