Living Ventures (LV), the north west-based restaurant and bar company led by Tim Bacon, is ramping up the roll out of its Alchemist concept, after opening the second site under the cocktail bar and restaurant in Manchester and securing two further sites for the brand.
The group opened its second Alchemist this week in Manchester’s New York Street and has secured further sites for the brand at MediaCity at Salford Quays and at the Trinity Development in Leeds.
The company is thought to be negotiating on site sin Liverpool and Birmingham for the brand, and has a long-term aim of introducing it into London, along with its pub concept, Oast House.
Bacon said: “We love the Alchemist and feel it will add nicely to a few local communities within Manchester city centre and then hopefully beyond. New York St. has a lovely feel to it but I feel it lacks a ‘local’ the Alchemist will hopefully fill the void.”
The group has also recently re-opened is Blackhouse site has finally in London’s Smithfield Market, after a design overhaul and menu tweaks that are to be rolled out across the eight-strong chain.
The company is looking reposition its Blackhouse chain to put more emphasis on its British offer as it looks to open further sites under the brand.
It is believed to be in discussions regarding further sites for Blackhouse and will open another a restaurant in Oxford in the first quarter of next year then another London site in the middle of 2013, with talks underway for a possible site either in the City or West End.
LV is currently finalising plans to launch @Manchester House, a venue aimed at gaining a Michelin star for the city later this year and recently secured a site at Tower 12, Spinningfields for the venture that will be overseen by chef Aiden Byrne.
It is also hoping to launch a new large casual dining concept in the city.
