Mayfair House Group

About Mayfair House Group

London wine bar business Mayfair House Group led by former EasyCoffee chief executive Nathan Lowry, currently operates ten sites in the capital - Shepherd Market Wine House, Traders Wine Bar, Brooks Mews Wine House, Amelia’s Wine House, Cecilia’s Wine House, Clemence Bar, Maltby Street Wine House, Angelique’s Wine House, Voila Wine Bar & Shop and Cherry Tree Yard Cafe & Bar. Founder and managing director Lowry founded retailer and bar business Pall Mall Fine Wine in 2012 and the London Beer House, a speciality craft beer shop and pub, in 2015 - both of which operated out of the Royal Opera Arcade in St James. He also secured equity for the Blackfriars Tower hotel complex and has advised operators including Fortnum & Mason and Hard Rock Cafe in London and internationally. Mayfair House Group also hosts wine tastings, exhibitions and high-profile events and is also looking to bring US prime rib restaurant brand Lawry’s to the UK.

Why franchise with Mayfair House Group

• ✓In September 2024, the group revealed an “ambitious national expansion plan” and said it is seeking a partner for its first franchise site. It has secured a site in Richmond, south west London, for its first franchise location and is seeking a partner to operate it. Having secured a head lease on the location, the group is looking to find a keen entrepreneur to take control of it. Based on current store performance, capex is £150,000, with gross profit 75%. Year one turnover is £500,000 and payback is within 18 months. “We’re doing it a bit differently – we’re taking on the head leases to help people get on the ladder,” said franchise consultant Andy Hulbert. “We’re doing the site acquisitions and getting them ready, so we’re just looking for franchisees to come in and operate them. The Richmond site is a corker, and we would keep it for ourselves but we’re offering it up for franchise.” The group is hoping to have the Richmond site up and running by the end of the year and has identified further potential locations in the capital at Marylebone, Fitzrovia, King’s Road, Covent Garden, South Bank and King’s Cross. However, it is a concept that Lowry is looking to take around the country. “We’re looking everywhere,” Hulbert added. “It will do every well in affluent regional towns like Bath and Cheltenham, and we can see a portfolio of sites across the country. The wine bars are operated as independents and the concepts have been tried and tested to ensure they are ready for expansion. There is a depth of knowledge and dedicated management team ready to expand the concepts and bring the potential of the business to the next level.”