Wed 25th Jun 2025 - Exclusive: Buzzworks completes management buyout to propel £100m-plus growth plans Exclusive – Buzzworks completes management buyout to propel £100m-plus growth plans: Scottish independent restaurant and bar operator Buzzworks Holdings has completed a family management buyout, Propel has learned. Kenny Blair, co-founder and managing director, will take control of the family business continuing with its mission to become a £100m-plus company. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Funding has been raised through Alchemy Partners, which has a track record in investing in hospitality businesses throughout the UK and Europe, including Heartwood Collection. Founded in Ayrshire in 1978 and led by siblings Colin, Alison and Kenny, Buzzworks has gone from strength to strength, growing to operate 22 venues across Scotland, under concepts including Scotts, Lido, Vic’s & The Vine and Herringbone, employing more than 800 staff. The deal has been part of the company’s long-term succession planning and will see Colin and Alison remaining in the business in advisory roles “ensuring their insights and values remain part of the company’s DNA”. Buzzworks said the next chapter of growth is focused on investment in property, expansion in terms of sites and people, with plans to introduce new venues that will incorporate bedrooms as part of the offering. The company, which was recently accredited with B Corp status, added the commitment to growth and development will be fast tracked as part of the deal with three new senior hires joining the business and new positions created in the coming months. Kenny said: “A life’s work has gone into making Buzzworks what it is today, and our family couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved. However, our job isn’t anywhere near done and we’re as passionate about it now as we were 40 years ago. Along with my brother and sister, we’ve tried to stay true to our mission of making people feel great through hospitality and that founding spirit will continue to drive us forward in this next chapter as we aim to more than double the size of the business and create hundreds of new sustainable jobs. This deal gives us the momentum to move further, faster – investing in people, places and new formats including venues with rooms in more towns and suburbs across the country. Our foundations are strong and we know exactly where we want to get to. The next stage of the Buzzworks journey is about to begin.” As part of the deal, West Coast Capital will remain a key investor and Cynergy Bank will join as the new banking partner. The team at Buzzworks was advised by Fraser Anderson and Rob Cockcroft, of Sapient Corporate Finance. In January, Buzzworks reported turnover increased to a record £34.4m for the year ending 28 April 2024, compared with £29.9m the previous year. Buzzworks features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club subscribers and features 1,125 companies. Buzzworks’ turnover of £34.4m is the 355th highest in the database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.