How ETM Group grew into an award-winning business
ETM Group sites
- Greenwood, Victoria, central London
- Long Arm Pub & Brewery, Hackney, east London
- Ealing Park Tavern, Ealing, west London
- The Hat & Tun, Holborn, City of London
- Broadleaf, Bishopgate, City of London
- Maple, Westfield Square, west London
- Aviary, Finsbury Square, central London
- The Botanist, Sloane Square, Chelsea, west London
- The Botanist, Broadgate Circle, central London
- Burdock, Finsbury Square, central London
- One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, east London
- The Jugged Hare, Barbican, City of London
- Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, Barbican, City of London
- The White Swan, Farringdon, City of London
London-based operator the ETM Group says it has an exceptional range of bars, pubs and restaurants across the capital “providing the best food, drink and service at our stylish destination locations for our discerning customers”.
The group certainly has venues that stand out, which feature rooftop terraces, traditional-style pubs and sport-heavy bars.
Founded by brothers Ed and Tom Martin in 2000, the ETM Group started with a single pub in Clerkenwell, in central London.
Over the past 18 years, the company has grown into an award-winning business with 14 sites across London.
Great numbers
Highlights from the group’s latest figures, revealed on 25 November, include group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increasing by 202.6% to £2.7m. It also revealed a 34.7% increase in group turnover to £27m, driven by like-for-like growth alongside increased event and pre-booked sales.
This year has also saw the opening of two new City of London sites – the Long Arm Pub & Brewery and Broadleaf – alongside securing a £10m funding package from HSBC in April 2018.
At the time, HSBC area director in London’s West End Mark Frettingham said: “We’ve been hugely impressed with the rapid growth and strategic acquisitions of ETM to date and can’t wait to see what’s next for this exciting brand.
“The new £10m deal, led by relationship director Neil Treadaway, will enable ETM to open more locations in London, bringing its passion and expertise in hospitality to even more customers across the capital.”
For new sites, in addition to opening Maple at Westfield – in White City, west London – this summer, ETM has secured a number of new sites including Redwood, the group’s fourth sports-led venue at London Bridge and will refurbish the Botanist in Sloane Square as part of the site’s 10th anniversary celebrations.
Contemporaries’ recognition
The group’s performance was also recognised at the industry’s Retailers’ Retailer Awards, with the group picking up the Evolution Award for demonstrating its ability to develop in new and changing markets.
On the results, Ed Martin said: “This has been an incredible year for ETM. The industry is facing challenging trading conditions and considerable cost headwinds.
“Despite this, the group has clearly demonstrated there is consumer demand for experience-led venues that deliver on quality food, drink and sport.”
Ed then went on to highlight how the financial backing the group has previously received has boosted the business.
He added: “The funding from HSBC and landlords’ continued demand for ETM’s innovative venues means we have a strong site pipeline in place.
“We will continue to invest in our current portfolio and our infrastructure to ensure our offer remains relevant and differentiated.”
Comfort from Little Creatures
The Long Arm Pub & Brewery in Hackney, east London aims to be fully sustainable by using on-site fish farming and hydroponics among other waste-reducing processes.
The group is also no stranger to taking home gongs including Food-Led Pub Company of the Year at Restaurant magazine R200 Awards in 2017.
But the group doesn’t just focus on food as it partnered with Australian craft beer brand Little Creatures.
In addition to stocking Little Creatures Pale Ale in its venues, ETM will collaborate with Little Creatures on a series of events later in the year, including masterclasses, tastings and beer and food matching.
Ed said: “We are delighted to be working with Little Creatures. The company is founded on many of the same principles as ETM – a commitment to doing things a little differently and sourcing the highest quality ingredients while maintaining a distinctive, individual and inclusive culture.
“The initial sales have proved there’s definitely a thirst for the brand among our customers.”
Little Creatures sales manager John Hadingham added: “We have long admired ETM and have watched the group’s portfolio grow to an impressive collection of pubs, restaurants and bars.
“It’s a genuinely good fit – two businesses run from opposite sides of the globe coming together with the same philosophy of providing unique and engaging products for our customers.
“We’re delighted our signature pale ale is proving such a hit.”
New site on track
The multiple operator appointed a new head of recruitment and retention in September this year – Rachel Masing, who had previously been head of recruitment at Gaucho and Cau restaurants for more than 12 years.
Looking to the future, openings on the horizon include a new Redwood venue located at London Bridge, which is set to open its doors in 2019 as part of the £1bn redevelopment of the station.
