Duo raise a glass to Toast

TWO high profile members of Yorkshire’s business community are aiming to roll out their bar and bistro concept if their first venture proves a success.

David Birchall and Mark Raven have launched upmarket venue Toast, in Leeds city centre.

The pair, who are also involved in the turnaround of distressed companies, have funded the project with backing from Barclays, led by Jane Cranston-Young.

Cash has also come from a fund that the business partners run which is used to invest in leisure opportunities.

Mr Raven, a former finance director at Kwik Save, said: “We thought that if we spotted the right opportunity we’d go for it. People we’ve spoken to have said this area of Leeds is an up and coming one.”

The duo, who have taken on 14 staff, are keen to take advantage of what they see as the different communities that live and frequent the area throughout the week.

Toast is located next to the site of Lumiere, the proposed skyscraper which has been put on hold because of the economic downturn, in an area clustered with businesses and residential apartments.

Mr Birchall, an insolvency expert, said he was not worried that Breeze – a bar which previously occupied Toast’s location – had closed blaming a lack of footfall.

He said: “The idea was to produce a concept that Monday right through to Sunday would be busy. People do leave the city on a weekend but what’s left is a community that needs serving.”

Will Cooper and Mell Tyson, who previously ran All Bar One in Leeds, are managing the bar, while Stuart Pearson is deputy manager. Head chef is Gareth Sykes, who has worked at Oracle in Leeds.

Toast will open seven days a week and will show sport if requested on a weekend.