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Bar operator sees the attraction of Barclays

Posted: 3rd May 2017

Barclays Jamie Grant - Head of Corporate Banking for Barclays Scotland & Northern Ireland. Neil Hanna Photography www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823Barclays has supported leading bar and club operator Attraction Inns Limited with a £1.05m funding package. The deal will consolidate the company’s position in the marketplace and provide capital expenditure to support acquisitions and future growth.

Attraction Inns owns some of the best known bars and clubs in east and central Scotland, including Movement, Opium, Pilgrim and Silk in Edinburgh and Dusk in Stirling, many of which it has operated for more than 20 years. Run by husband and wife team Robert and Michelle Orr, the company employs 150 staff across five venues.

The deal team at Barclays was led by Corporate Development Directors Malcolm Crawford supported by Lesley Barnwell and Relationship Director Gillian Lambert.

Robert Orr, Managing Director of Attraction Inns, commented: “The hospitality and leisure industry has undergone a dramatic change in the past decade but there are lots of opportunities for forward looking businesses and the banks willing to support them. We were aware of Barclays’ proactiveness in the sector and attracted by their positive approach.

“I’ve been in the business for 27 years and what has been key to this long term success is evolving with our consumers. We are moving away from the more traditional night club format to chameleon venues – those which work just as well as an eatery during the day then an after work drinks spot and a pre-club bar. Barclays shared our progressive vision.”

Jamie Grant, Head of Corporate Banking for Barclays in Scotland, said: “We have an appetite to lend to the hospitality and leisure industry which is evidenced by our strong track record of funding deals in recent years. The sector is operating in a challenging market at the moment but Scotland has a diverse H&L landscape and a burgeoning tourism industry helping drive long term success.

“Attraction Inns is a well-established business and the management team has a clear plan for continued growth which we were keen to support. We took time to understand their individual needs so that we could provide a flexible solution that worked for them and their ambitions.”

Barclays’ Scottish SME fund was launched in June 2016 to address gaps in the supply of finance for businesses in Scotland. It provides access to funding for companies across all sectors with turnover up to £25m.

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