The UK-based hospitality group has added to its coffee portfolio with the acquisition of Notes and is targeting ‘ambitious future growth’ for the boutique café chain, coffee roaster and wine bar
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Notes' coffee shops are located in high footfall London locations, including Canary Wharf and Trafalgar Square | Photo credit: Notes
UK hospitality group WSH has acquired the 11-strong London coffee shop and wine bar concept Notes for an undisclosed sum.
WSH, which also owns London café chain Benugo and European foodservice provider BaxterStorey, said that Notes will continue to operate as ‘an autonomous business’ but that the hospitality group’s expertise will help support expansion for the brand.
Notes was founded in 2010 by Robert Robinson and Fabio Ferreira, both of whom will continue to lead the company post-acquisition.
Its London coffee shops are located in high footfall locations across the capital, including Canary Wharf, Kings Cross and Trafalgar Square. Notes also currently operates a kiosk in Moorgate, the Notes Roastery near Canning Town and an online retail business.
“Notes offers an exciting new concept for the WSH family; with a London-based roastery and wholesale business, in addition to a day-to-night concept that has been incredibly successful. Notes will benefit from WSH’s expertise in supporting ambitious future growth, continuing to work as an autonomous business,” said Noel Mahoney, Executive Director, WSH.
WSH achieved revenue growth of 9% in 2021, reaching £586.6m ($675m). In a mid-year update for 2022, WSH said second quarter sales across its portfolio of brands had surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Although acknowledging growing cost pressures in the wider UK hospitality, especially difficulties arising from labour shortages and inflation, the company forecasts a strong performance in the second half of the year.