Expansion on menu for Lucia Wine Bar & Grill

LUCIA Wine Bar & Grill has announced plans to add a third restaurant to its portfolio of outlets in Yorkshire.

Thanks to a six figure funding facility from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the company has acquired the freehold trading business of Jo Rigantoni’s Restaurant on Ripon Road in Harrogate and, following a re-brand of the current facilities, has started trading this month.

The opening adds to the company’s existing restaurants in York and Beverley, which serve Mediterranean food and cocktails.

The company has secured a loan from RBS to assist with the business purchase.

Simon Steer and Mark Heyes worked on the deal for RBS along with Arif Ahmad and business development manager Anthony Tarpey from Batley-based AAC Chartered Accountants.

Managing directors Osman Doganozu & Oscar Akgul said: “This is a really exciting time for us at Lucia Wine Bar & Grill. We have been looking to continue to expand the number of outlets we have for some time and when the opportunity arose to acquire Jo Rigantoni’s we jumped at the chance. Not only are the premises perfect for us to house another Lucia Wine Bar & Grill but geographically, opening a new outlet in Harrogate is the perfect fit.

“Despite being the third restaurant in the chain, Ripon Road represents a real first for us. It is the first time we have invested in freehold premises which is a major step for the company, as our restaurants in York and Beverley are currently held on a leasehold basis. Without the support received from RBS it is fair to say that the purchase wouldn’t have been possible but thanks to the fantastic team we worked with, we have been able to pursue and achieve one of our key growth objectives.”

Mr Steer added: “We are pleased to have been able to offer support for this latest Lucia Wine Bar & Grill venture. The management team put forward a great proposition and having worked very closely with them we fully understand their vision for the company and this latest restaurant. We wish them every success with this venture.”