Mark Hird, founder and managing director of Tavistock Hospitality Group, passed away on Tuesday (3 December) after a long battle with cancer.
Hird, who was 47, was widely known throughout the hospitality, distillery and brewery industry.
He worked in various restaurants before opening the award-winning 11 Tavistock Place, with his wife Nicola, in 2000.
Over the years the couple opened and renovated more than 30 sites in the North East under different brands such as Tavistock Italia, Sonnet 43 Gastro Pubs, Tavistock Thai China, Italian Farmhouse and the flagship Roker Hotel.
In 2015, Hird setup a micro-brewery, which led to the development of Sonnet 43 Brewhouse and Poetic License Distillery. Both businesses continue to experience good growth, with major contracts in place with supermarkets and pub chains.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mark, he was a true inspiration. I have a lost a best friend of 30 years and the world has lost a wonderful man,” said Jonathan Graham, operations director of the Tavistock Group.
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Tavistock Hospitality managing director Mark Hird dies aged 47
Mike Hird, the founder and managing director of Tavistock Hospitality Group, Poetic License Distillery and Sonnet 43 Brewhouse died on Tuesday (3 December) after a long battle with cancer. Hird, who was 47, was widely known throughout the hospitality, distillery and brewery industry.
