New World Trading Company (NWTC), the Chris Hill-led group, has further strengthened its openings pipeline, after securing a further site in Cheshire, M&C understands.
The 11-strong company, which already operates The Botanist sites in Alderley Edge and Chester, has taken the Knutsford Wine Bar in Knutsford for an opening next year.
M&C understands that the group has experienced an exceptional first weeks-worth of trading at its recently opened site in Marlow.
In early 2016 it will launch new brand The Clubhouse in Liverpool ONE’s Chavasse Park and a Botanist in Farnham.
Yesterday, M&C reported that the company had appointed its first operations director and created a Brand Business Development team as it targets a pipeline of six new sites a year.
Managing director Hill also told M&C that the company has introduced a Masters of Beer qualification across it workforce as it continues to roll out its beer clubs.
On future growth, Hill said: “We have realised that six a year is probably our sweet spot. It allows us to keep the momentum going but we’re working across a really broad geographic spread now and we don’t want to allow our standards to drop for a second so six is manageable. I have got four of the six lined up for the next financial year.
The operations structure of the company has been overhauled this year with a Brand Business Development Team, split across three geographic areas, introduced.
Matt Bamber, a former operations manager has been appointed operations director.
Hill said: “It allows me to be a bit broader in my approach and look to the future.”
