Six more ex-Paramount sites acquired by Carluccio's, La Tasca and Byron

06-Feb-2012 - Last updated on 12-Apr-2024 at 14:56 GMT

Brasserie Gerard in Lymington is among six former Paramount Restaurant sites which have been bought in separate deals by La Tasca, Carluccio's and Byron

Italian café chain Carluccio's has acquired four former Paramount Restaurants sites, while La Tasca has confirmed it has taken on two from the company administrators and Byron has also acquired a Waterloo site that was previously part of the estate.

The three separate restaurant chain acquisitions are the latest in the sale of units previously owned by the operator after Paramount Restaurants was placed into administration last year following two restructurings of the company.

Brasserie Gerard

Carluccio's has bought four sites previously branded under the Brasserie Gerard concept out of administration for an undisclosed amount of money in a deal that was concluded last week. The Pinner, Reigate, Teddington and Berkhampstead restaurants will now be refurbished and are expected to open in the spring.

As well as openings this year in Paddington, Colchester, Liverpool in March and Dorchester in the Summer, the former Paramount restaurants will take new openings for the company to eight this year. The Italian chain, run by chief executive Simon Kossof, plans a further two new sites in 2012 to reach their openings target for the year.

La Tasca

Spanish restaurant chain La Tasca has also confirmed the acquisition of a former Brasserie Gerard site, based in Lymington, which will be refurbished under the La Vina concept. La Tasca currently operate four sites under the Spanish wine bar and restaurant brand, La Vina, all situated in the North West.

Chief executive Simon Wilkinson said the development was a sign the La Tasca expansion programme was continuing ahead of schedule.

"The acquisition of Brasserie Gerard in Lymington fits nicely with our geographic and concept requirements and we will start work immediately to convert this site into a La Vina. The La Vina concept has worked extremely well in the North West and I believe the people of Lymington will really enjoy the Spanish authenticity and exciting experience this restaurant will bring to the area.

The Newbury Brasserie Gerard, which was also purchased by La Tasca within the last month, will be transformed into the La Tasca Spanish Tapas Bar & Kitchen brand when it closes for one week at the end of February.

The Cut Livebait

Up-market burger restaurant Byron has also announced the purchase of a Paramount Restaurant site, the former Livebait fish restaurant located on The Cut at Waterloo. The company, led by Tom Byng, plans to open the restaurant by April 2012.

SBG Restaurants, owned by Edinburgh's Cafe Fish owner Richard Muir and former Paramount Restaurant Group chairman William Rollason has bought two former Livebait sites in Leeds and Manchester out of administration.

Prezzo, Spaghetti House and Brasserie Blanc have also bought ex-Paramount Restaurant sites.