Revolution Bars Group

Bar chain, United Kingdom

Revolution Bars Group

Revolution, Soho

Industry| Hospitality industry
Founder| Roy Ellis, Neil Macleod
Headquarters|

United Kingdom

Area served

| UK

Number of employees

| 1,800
Website| Revolution Bars Group

Revolution Bars Group,[1] previously known as Inventive Leisure and The New Inventive Bar Company,[2] is a city centre bar chain with headquarters in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England. The bar brands trade under the names Revolution and Revolución de Cuba.

## Background

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It was founded by Roy Ellis and Neil Macleod, who had met in London in the 1980s.[3] They opened their first bar in Ashton-under-Lyne in 1991, with nightclubs and a music venue following soon after.[4] In 1996 they moved away from the previously unbranded bars and clubs to start the Revolution chain, with vodka being featured as the principal product.[3] In 2000, the company floated on the Alternative Investment Market, by this point having 21 bars. It was bought out in 2006 by Alchemy Partners amid competition from Regent Inns and Ultimate Leisure. The deal valued the company at £42.5m.[5][6][7] The company was ranked 25th in the 2013 The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list, and employs about 1,800 people.[8] Its turnover in the year ending June 2008 was expected to be £71m with profits of £11m.[9] In 2013, Phill Danks became CEO of Revolution Bars Group.[10]

In August 2017, Revolution Bars Group rejected a merger proposal from nightclub operator Deltic Group, saying Deltic's offer was "not in the best interests of shareholders at this time".[11] In response, Deltic Group said it wanted to appeal directly to shareholders, proposing that existing Revolution shareholders would own 65% of the new company, while Deltic would own the remaining 35%. Revolution Bars Group said it instead preferred a £101.5m takeover offer by Slug and Lettuce owner Stonegate.[12]

On March 25, 2024, Revolution Bars announced plans for emergency fundraising and the closure of a quarter of its venues, which threatens hundreds of jobs, as it seeks a sale amid financial challenges.[13]

## Brands

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### Revolution

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Revolution is the original brand of Revolution Bars Group. The unique selling point is the focus on vodka.

### Revolución de Cuba

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Revolución de Cuba was created in 2011. The focus is on rum and Cuba.

## References

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1. ^ "Revolution Bars Group PLC". Companies House. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
2. ^ "Inventive Leisure Announces New Bar Operating Name". Eat Out Magazine. 6 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
3. ^ a b "Me And My Partner: Roy Ellis and Neil Macleod". The Independent. 14 February 2001. Archived from the original on 23 September 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
4. ^ "Come the Revolution". caterersearch. 4 November 1999. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
5. ^ "Inventive Leisure". Alchemy. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
6. ^ Kevin Feddy (10 March 2008). "Inventive profits keep rising". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
7. ^ Dominic Walsh (7 September 2005). "Bid for Inventive Leisure sparks interest of rivals". The Times. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
8. ^ "The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2013". The Sunday Times. 24 March 2013. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
9. ^ Paul Charity (10 April 2008). "Inventive profits 'to pass £10m'". Morning Advertiser. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
10. ^ Walsh, Dominic. "Business big shot: Mark McQuater of Inventive Leisue". Archived from the original on 16 March 2014.
11. ^ "Revolution Bars rejects merger offer". BBC News. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
12. ^ "Battle for Revolution Bars intensifies". BBC News. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
13. ^ "Revolution Bars in secret talks about sale and mass venue closures". Sky News. Retrieved 26 March 2024.

## External links

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* Revolution
* Revolución de Cuba