The hospitality group behind the Michelin-starred restaurant and luxury hotel Northcote in Langho near Blackburn, has increased sales past the £10 million mark.
NORTHCOTE Leisure Group run by chef Nigel Haworth and wine expert Craig Bancroft, also owns Northcote at the Rovers, a hospitality, conferencing and banqueting business at Blackburn Rovers’ home Ewood Park; Café Northcote at Blackburn Cathedral; and Ribble Valley Inns, a food-led pub group with sites in Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire and North Yorkshire.
In accounts filed this week, the group said the year to 31 March 2016 has been one of growth, following investment over the last two years, with a “significant uplift” in operating performance in all areas of the business which is expected to continue into 2016/17.
Investments made by the group include adding more private dining facilities, new kitchens, improved leisure space, a cocktail bar and the Garden Lodge at Northcote Hotel.
During the period, Northcote Leisure Group pushed turnover up by 12.5 per cent to £10.2m, with increased income from each element of the business, and cut pre-tax losses from £1.9m to £882,905. The business is set to return to profit in its current financial year and push turnover up to about £11.5m.
Craig Bancroft said in the company accounts that the focus for 2016/17 was on increasing sales further throughout the group, adding to occupancy at Northcote and increasing revenue from private dining and the cook school initiative.
At Ribble Valley Inns, the group plans to bring the underperforming sites into line and expand with new pubs, starting with the Stags Head in Cheshire, which is scheduled to open in May 2017 after planning delays and a change of strategy to introduce accommodation.
Last month, Northcote celebrated its 20th anniversary of retaining a Michelin star and as the only restaurant in Lancashire and Greater Manchester to hold this prestigious accolade. Northcote luxury country house hotel was also named AA Hotel of the Year – England at the AA Hospitality Awards 2016 in September.
In March 2016, the group also opened a new concept, Café Northcote at Blackburn Cathedral, which offers 78 covers in the new refectory space at Cathedral Court.
