Independent food & coffee shop chain Bob & Berts has reopened almost three-quarters of its cafés across Northern Ireland and Scotland, and its owners say the financial support received from Ulster Bank was essential to enable the business to adapt during lockdown and to prepare for longer-term changes in the industry.
As part of the package, which includes a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL), Ulster Bank provided a range of additional support measures including temporary overdraft facilities and capital repayment holidays.
Founded in Portstewart in 2013, Bob & Berts currently operates 20 stores and employs over 400 staff. The brand has expanded rapidly in recent years and now counts among its portfolio 15 cafés across Northern Ireland and a further five stores in Scotland.
David Ferguson, a co-owner of Bob & Berts with his brother-in-law Colin McClean, says Ulster Bank has been extremely supportive and understanding of the business and its challenges.
“Over the past three months we’ve worked with the team at Ulster Bank on an almost daily basis to establish where we are and to agree a range of measures that will sustain the business.”
David says the tailored support package delivered by the bank struck a balance designed to protect the future of the business.
“Turning the tap back on across all of our stores is a huge undertaking and has incurred significant costs. The support Ulster Bank has provided has ensured the business is in a good place to reopen and has allowed us to resume in-store trading quickly and efficiently.”
Bob & Berts has invested significantly in social distancing and personal hygiene measures, including floor markings and till screens, across all of its cafés. It has also reduced the capacity of its cafés to facilitate social distancing and has undertaken additional staff training to ensure public health guidelines are maintained.
Colin McClean says the cash flow relief was important to help the business prepare for reopening, but it also provided Bob & Berts with the resources to invest in its new app.
“We launched the Bob and Berts app and online ordering system which allowed customers to order for both collection and delivery while our cafés were closed. The response was fantastic.”
He says the new app also presents long-term opportunities.
“Though it was an immediate solution to generate revenue it was always an area of the business we wanted to develop. Now that we have that functionality in place, we regard the app and online system as great additions to our core offering that we hope to expand and grow further.”
Girvan Gault, Director, Commercial Banking, Ulster Bank, says the bank is committed to the continued success of the Bob & Berts brand.
“Bob & Berts is a fast growth company that has rapidly expanded to become a familiar and welcomed addition to the local high street. It’s a brand that has struck a chord with consumers and the communities it serves.”
He continues, “We’re very pleased to build upon our investment in David, Colin and the wider Bob & Berts team with this comprehensive range of support measures which provides financial buoyancy to ensure the business is resilient as it navigates this challenging period.”
Gemma Jordan, Senior Relationship Manager, Commercial Banking, Ulster Bank, says Bob & Berts is a key contributor to the local economy.
“As a bank, we recognise the significant value Bob & Berts adds to town and city centre economies, not only throughout Northern Ireland but in Scotland too where the brand is quickly emerging and gaining a foothold.
“The vibrant brand is a shining success and one which we’re proud to have supported throughout its growth journey. We’re pleased to continue and reinforce this support during these unprecedented times to ensure the future success of the business which has created hundreds of important employment opportunities.”
More information about the comprehensive range of support measures Ulster Bank is providing to business customers is available on the Ulster Bank Business Hub.
