Young entrepreneur in double bar swoop

AN ambitious young businessman has popped the cork on his first major deal – buying Manchester champagne bar Epernay and the neighbouring Taps pub and restaurant.

Chris Payne, 22, who is still studying at Manchester Business School, has shelled out a “six figure sum”, with the support of NatWest, to acquire the two premises.

He has formed a company called VCP Taverns and will be running the business with his girlfriend, Carla McMaster and a friend, Thomas Leonard, who will look after events and marketing and operations respectively.

Mr Payne started working in pubs at the age of 16 and this inspired him to own a leisure business of his own.

The bars, close to Manchester Central and the Great Northern Warehouse, jointly employ 25 people.

He said: “We had been looking for the right opportunity for the business so when we learned Taps and Epernay were for sale, we jumped at the chance to buy them. Both are fantastic establishments that are well-known in the city each offering different experiences.

“At Taps you are drawn in with the incredible range of different beers on tap – 16 in total, which you can also pour yourself on the ‘beer wall’. Alternatively, Epernay offers a luxurious service, providing world class cocktails in a beautiful setting. They are both distinct and offer great service to customers.”

When the time came to buy the bars, Chris turned to NatWest relationship manager John Platt for support. John secured a loan through the banks’ participation in the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme to support the acquisition.

Mr Platt said: “I was delighted to support Chris on the purchase of Taps and Epernay. Both bars have an excellent reputation in Manchester’s leisure trade. Chris has an excellent business model and I wish them every success for the future.”