Living Ventures sells The Alchemist brand in a £13m deal

Palatine Private Equity has completed the £13m management buyout of The Alchemist, as the Manchester bar and restaurant brand looks to roll out more sites across the UK.

“…to make The Alchemist a recognised
brand throughout the UK.”

The deal marks Palatine’s second investment with Living Ventures Group following its buyout of Gusto last year.

The Alchemist first opened its doors in Manchester in 2010 and currently operates two venues in the city centre, as well as sites in Leeds and London. It currently employs 250 staff achieved sales of £11.3m last year and was recently ranked the 20^th fastest growing business in the UK by The Sunday Times..

The £12m equity investment from Palatine and £6.5m development and working capital facilities from Santander will enable the business to develop its existing sites and open new venues in city centre locations. The Alchemist opened last summer in the City and recently extended its Spinningfields, Manchester restaurant, adding an additional 2,500 square feet to meet the increased demand from customers.

Formed in 1999 by Tim Bacon and Jeremy Roberts, Living Ventures own some of the UK’s most talked about brands including Australasia, Blackhouse, Gusto, The New World Trading Company, Manchester House and Artisan.

Both Bacon and Roberts will maintain an active role in the business, with Bacon taking on the position as chairman and Roberts becoming a non-executive director. As part of the investment, Palatine’s managing partner Gary Tipper and investment director Beth Houghton will both join the board of the company as non-executive directors.

Beth Houghton, investment director at Palatine Private Equity, said: “The Alchemist is a fantastic brand and has developed a strong customer base as a result of its innovative and theatrical cocktail offering. The Spinningfields site continues to be one of the highest trading units in Manchester and we look forward to introducing the brand to more city centre locations across the UK.”

Tim Bacon CEO of Living Ventures and Chairman of Alchemist added: “The Alchemist is a very strong brand which offers a unique customer experience. With the investment from Palatine we will be able to make The Alchemist a recognised brand throughout the UK”

Will The Alchemist brand lose its specific attention to detail, though?