Pub firm calls time on Tampopo deal

PUBS giant Mitchells & Butlers has called time on a bid for Manchester Asian dining chain Tampopo, co-founder David Fox has said.

Mr Fox, a former accountant, who founded the six-strong chain of restautants in 1997 with business partner Nick Jeffrey, told TheBusinessDesk.com that M&B had had a change of heart, quite late in the process.

“We were approached by them, and we listened, but then they decided to launch their own concept, which is interesting as other big groups including Whitbread and The Restaurant Group have tried, and struggled to establish a brand in our ethnicity.

“It may be third time lucky for the big boys but this will be a major departure from their traditional areas of expertise.”

Mr Fox said Tampopo, which has three Manchester sites and one in Leeds, Reading and Bristol, is pushing on with its plan to open in London.

“We are excited, it’s a major step for us. With the economy as it is in with people generally having less to spend I think London should be more resilient.” he said.

M&B is understood to have hired Aidrian McCormack, a former executive chef at Tampopo and Wagamama to oversee the new Asian concept.