Richardson to challenge Beanscene

Published on Monday 1 September 2008 22:08

ENTREPRENEUR Gordon Richardson last night promised to launch a new coffee shop chain which will go "head-to-head" with Beanscene – the brand he founded eight years ago but has failed to buy back out of administration.

Richardson yesterday revealed that he is not the "preferred bidder" selected by administrator KPMG from more than 30 offers submitted for Beanscene last month.

However, he said he was set to launch the first three branches of a rival chain by the end of the year.

Richardson claimed that he would have integrated the three earmarked sites into the Beanscene brand if his bid had been successful, but after losing out to an unnamed bidder, said he was set to battle it out for business with his former company.

KPMG yesterday refused to identify the likely new owner, or reveal if the preferred bidder was looking to buy all or part of the firm.

Richardson, who founded the chain in 1999 but sold it to rival company Tinderbox earlier this year after a dispute with investors, said: "I am disappointed not to have won Beanscene, but c'est la vie.

"We submitted a bid for the whole company which would have safeguarded almost 150 jobs, but if the other bidder has produced a better offer then good luck to them.

"Now it is time to go head-to-head with them."

Richardson refused to disclose the name of his new brand, but said that the first three sites would all be in Glasgow's west end and city centre.

The new branches will mirror the Beanscene concept, in being between 1,200 and 2,000sq ft, and focusing on offering food and snacks as well as coffee.

Beanscene slipped into administration in July after investors pulled out of a wrangle about expansion plans and the chain was left with five unusable shops.

Richardson also runs another coffee house and deli brand, Pico – which he plans to expand from a single store in Glasgow to a six-strong chain over the coming months – under his umbrella business One Big Groove.

He also last week announced the launch of Widescreen, a consultancy business for the retail, licensed and leisure sectors.

He added: "We will inevitably be rivals for Beanscene. Suitable locations for coffee shops the size of Beanscene, or our new brand, which are similar concepts, are few and far between and we will be vying for the same business."

A spokeswoman for KPMG said: "A preferred bidder has been selected and we are currently carrying out a process of due diligence."

It is expected a final decision on the sale of Beanscene will be made in the next two to three weeks.

Beanscene, which has 14 outlets and 142 staff, hosts regular live gigs and has been credited with helping to launch Scots singing stars KT Tunstall and Amy MacDonald. Some of its outlets are run on a franchise basis.