Shoosmiths advises Northern Ireland coffee chain on  Scotland launch

Shoosmiths has advised coffee chain Bob & Berts on £2 million funding from the BGF to venture into the Scottish market.

Founded in Northern Ireland, Bob & Berts is a family business that has grown to encompass 16 outlets in the country with a further 30 stores planned to open over the next four years, 20 of which will be in Scotland.

The investment from the BGF will fund the planned opening of the 20 Scottish stores which will bring around 400 jobs to the region.

Corporate partner Alison Gilson and associate Jen Paton of Shoosmiths’ Edinburgh office led on the deal with assistance from associate Scott Dowds-Moffatt in Shoosmiths’ Belfast office, who has advised Bob & Berts over the past four years from the coffee chain’s inception.

Colin McClean, co-founder of Bob & Berts, said: “The backing of the BGF will be invaluable in our expansion into Scotland. The Scottish market holds many opportunities for us and we look forward to working with our business partners to replicate the strong growth we have experienced in Northern Ireland.”

Ms Gilson added: “We are extremely pleased to help Bob & Berts in securing the BGF investment and are certain they will make their mark on the Scottish market. This has been a great opportunity to bring together the legal expertise in both our Edinburgh and Belfast offices to secure a successful and timely deal completion, we look forward to working on many more cross-border projects together.”