Martin Williams, Founder and CEO, M Restaurants
Just 24 hours after award-winning restaurant brand M launched its equity crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs, the London-based company has successfully secured over £1.3 million out of its £1.5 million funding goal. Among those who rushed to be part of the initiative was England Rugby Legend Simon Shaw OBE with a six figure investment.
Currently comprising two multi-faceted venues in Threadneedle St and Victoria St, M is the first high end restaurant group seeking to raise funds via crowdfunding.
M Founder and CEO Martin Williams is seeking a £1.1 million investment for the expansion of M SOCIAL, an exciting new micro-version of his M concept that will launch in more intimate outer London locations in 2017.
Other funds will be used to add a private members’ lounge, M DEN, to Threadneedle St, which opened in November 2014 and was named Best New Restaurant at the Harpers Awards 2015 within months of opening. All other access funds will go towards supporting the business in both long and short term.
Investments of as little as £200 are possible via the Seedrs website in an opportunity that has a ‘double your money’ return on an EIS qualified equity based investment anticipated to mature in 2019.
The campaign is set to close at the beginning of December.
Commented Martin Williams, “We have been overwhelmed by the response, with former Manchester United striker Andy Cole; Racing UK CEO Richard Fitzgerald and polo player/Merchant Hub President Thomas Kato just some of the others who have signed up.
“Our success has been built on making fine wines and world class steaks accessible; I wanted to reflect that in our fundraising and to invite our fantastic regular guests the opportunity to be a share-holder in their favourite restaurant!”
Aside from the Best New Restaurant 2015 accolade, M Restaurants has won a plethora of trophies. M Victoria St (the first quality restaurant to launch in the new Land Securities development) has also been shortlisted as Best New Opening 2016 and Best Design in the upcoming Restaurant Magazine R200 annual awards.
Both locations boast two restaurants – RAW & GRILL – alongside a cocktail bar, wine bar and private dining spaces. M Victoria St also houses a private members’ lounge and wine store. The venues have become a favourite haunt of musicians, sporting stars, business leaders, actors and politicians, with Boris Johnson, Tinie Tempah, Sol Campbell, Donna Air and Will Poulter all regular customers.
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