Southampton: Moore Blatch advises Drake & Morgan on acquisition of Corney & Barrow Bars

Southampton law firm Moore Blatch recently advised Drake & Morgan, which is backed by private equity firm Bowmark Capital, on its acquisition of London wine-bar and restaurant operator Corney & Barrow Bars. The 10-strong Moore Blatch team was led by corporate partner Roger Bailey with property support led by partner Julian Parkes.

The acquisition forms part of Drake & Morgan’s strategy of building a multi-brand bar and restaurant portfolio in London and regionally. The next 12 months will see Drake & Morgan add another five sites to the current nine-strong group with openings planned at Heathrow Terminal 4, Spinningfields, One St Peters Square in Manchester, Edinburgh and London’s West India Quay.

With the acquisition of Corney & Barrow, the portfolio will have increased to at least 25 sites by the end of 2017.

Jillian MacLean, managing director of Drake & Morgan, said: “We were delighted to work again with the superb team at Moore Blatch.”

Roger Bailey, partner at Moore Blatch, said: “We have worked with Drake & Morgan since it was founded and have seen the company grow into one of the UK’s most exciting and innovative bar and restaurant businesses.”