Coffee chain Bob & Berts adding 6 Scottish sites

The owners of an independent food and coffee shop brand are looking to continue its expansion across Scotland – where it has plans under way to open around six new outlets in the next year.

From left: co-owners Colin McClean and David Ferguson. Picture: contributed.

The move by Bob & Berts comes as it prepares to serve up a new store in Stirling in late October, the launch postponed from April due to Covid-19.The store on Murray Place will create 25 jobs and the company plans to recruit further as its rollout strategy progresses. The firm re-opened its shops in Kirkcaldy, Falkirk, Dumfries and Dunfermline last month.

The chain was founded in Northern Ireland’s Portstewart, moving into Scotland in 2018 just one year after Business Growth Fund, or BGF, made a £2 million equity investment into the company to help propel its business growth and geographical footprint. Bob & Berts now has 20 stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Colin McClean, who founded the firm with co-owner David Ferguson, said: “Being able to re-open our stores in Scotland was an extremely welcome moment. All sites are now fully operational with stores performing ahead of our expectations.

“We’re now very much looking forward to the opening of our Stirling store and expanding our brand across Scotland. We see it is a key growth area and hope to open around six new stores over the next year across Scotland with a focus on market towns to retain our local community feel.”

Lockdown led to Bob & Berts introducing the likes of an online ordering service through its app, which it said has boosted sales. The app also allows customers to order for collection or delivery to their home or workplace within half an hour. The firm also said it supported frontline workers during lockdown.

Ferguson added: “Lockdown has given us confidence that we can deliver a takeaway service and we have seen the success of our app. We know there may be more twists and turns because of coronavirus, but we’re committed to delivering a great service in safe environments for our staff and customers.”

Support

Bob & Berts is one of more than 30 companies in Scotland to have received investment from BGF, which continues to support the company’s business growth plans across Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and the Republic of Ireland by providing ongoing strategic business advice and guidance.

Gemma Hamilton, a BGF investor for central Scotland and Northern Ireland, and non-executive director of Bob & Berts, commented: “What Colin, David and their team at Bob & Berts have achieved against the exceptionally-challenging backdrop of Covid-19 is a strong endorsement of both their brand and offering, and their agility as a business to adapt to the fast-changing market conditions.

“While there are likely to further challenges ahead in the marketplace, remaining focused and nimble as a business will be pivotal to Bob & Bert’s success in the future. We look forward to continuing to support them in the next phase of their growth story.”

Last month, BGF injected £2.7m into Scottish paint retailer The Paint Shed.

SCOTSMAN.COM

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