- Hawksmoor Seeks Funding for Expansion
- Co-operative Bank Withdraws £150 Switching Deal
- Rent Hits Record High Outside London
- Aldi Implements Higher Welfare Standards for Chickens
Hawksmoor, the popular steak restaurant chain, is reportedly seeking funding options that could potentially value the company at around £100 million. Investment bank Stephens has been hired to oversee the process as Hawksmoor looks to expand outside the UK.
Currently, Hawksmoor has three restaurants located in New York City, Chicago, and Dublin, in addition to 10 other sites, including seven in London. Private equity firm Graphite Capital owns a majority stake of 51% in Hawksmoor, with co-founders Will Beckett and Huw Got expected to retain their minority stake and continue running the business if new investment comes in.
In other news, The Co-operative Bank is set to withdraw its switching deal this week, offering new customers the opportunity to receive £150 for free. The deal includes an upfront payment of £75 for opening a standard current account or an Everyday Extra account, with an additional £15 per month for five months if a Regular Saver account is also opened.
Meanwhile, the average monthly rent outside London has hit a record high of £1,316, according to Rightmove. This represents a 7% increase from the previous year, with London still holding the highest rent prices in the country at an average of £2,652 per month.
Lastly, Aldi has announced higher welfare standards for its chickens, with plans to introduce improved stocking density requirements for its fresh chicken suppliers. This move will provide the birds with 20% more space than the industry standard, allowing them to engage in natural behaviors such as stretching their wings and roaming. The supermarket chain aims to complete this initiative by October 2024, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare in their operations.
