Arc raises £7m to accelerate growth

Arc Inspirations, the operator of bar brands Banyan, BOX and Manahatta, is set to accelerate its expansion across the UK after raising £7m. 

The company, led by CEO Martin Wolstencroft, has secured a £4m loan from HSBC UK, alongside £3m of equity from its shareholders, including BGF which has backed the business since 2022.

With ambitions to deliver at least four new openings per year over the next five years, Arc says the capital will support its continued growth plans and also fund a programme of new refurbishments at existing Manahatta sites. 

"We’re grateful to the HSBC UK team and to our shareholders, who continue to believe in our business and support us on our ambitious growth journey," says Wolstencroft. "Together we have achieved a number of key milestones, with four successful new site openings in 2023, and our most successful festive period to date. Each success is testament to our team and culture, and I thank each and every member of our team as we continue to build what we believe is the best bar business in the country."

Arc Inspirations’ next opening will be its debut Scottish site, Manahatta Edinburgh, launching later this summer.

The company is also looking at further launches in London, Liverpool and Cardiff in 2024.

Last year, Arc Inspirations opened BOX sites in Nottingham (pictured) and Birmingham, as well as two Manahattas in Newcastle and Sheffield. 

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