John Leslie, chief executive of Walkabout operator Intertain, has told M&C Report that the company’s refurbishment programme will focus on an all-day format.
Leslie said where appropriate sites would open before 12pm and that he was considering entering the hotly contested breakfast market.
He said a list of target towns and cities was being drawn up but would not be completed until after Easter. However, he said: “We need to strengthen our position in the south-east. I know everyone says that and the market is more competitive down there but I think we now have an offer that fits well within a good demographic. We would like a bit more of a southern bias back.”
He confirmed that Walkabout would be the focus of the acquisition drive but did not rule out opening more unbranded sites.
He said the ideal site for a Walkabout was at least 9,00sq ft with an outside area and ideally an existing licence.
He insisted that the company was concerned with “quality not quantity” but added: “Walkabout at one point was 50 venues nationwide and we are currently trading out of 22 Walkabout locations so that gives you some idea of the scope. I’m not saying we would go back into all of those towns and cities and there will be some areas we will target that never had a Walkabout but it gives you an idea of what the scope could be over the next few years.”
Leslie said the company would continue to run its four unbranded venues alongside the Walkabouts.
He said: “They are good, strong trading venues in their own right and we will continue to trade them and wouldn’t rule out adding more one-offs, if they were the right locations. But that would be opportunistic and the main focus will be on growing Walkabout.”
On the focus of the refurbishments, he said: “The late-night trade is as strong as ever, if not stronger, but we have also managed to build a decent daytime trade and get food on the map. The maturing of the brand and the work we have done to make the brand more appealing to women and a place to eat as well as party has led the refurbishment process.”
Leslie said that while food still represented only a modest percentage of total turnover, daytime trade was increasing significantly across the estate.
He said: “Our sites typically open at 12pm but some open earlier where there is that daytime footfall. We are not doing breakfasts at the moment but it’s something we are looking at in the areas where the daytime trade will support it.”
There are expected to be six refurbishments this calendar year with approximately £500,000 spent per site. Bristol will be the next site to re-open.
