Maison Blanc's store portfolio under review
The owner of patisserie chain Maison Blanc has launched a review into the future of its 13 stores and production facility, according to a report in the http://www.standard.co.uk/business/revealed-maison-blanc-moots-caf-selloff-putting-300-jobs-at-risk-a3354976.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Evening Standard.
Property agent Davis Coffer Lyons has been hired to carry out the "strategic review" of all store locations, which includes sites in London, Oxford and Chichester.
The future of the production facility at Park Royal in London will also be considered during the review, but no decision will be reached until the end of the consultation period.
The Caterer understands Maison Blanc staff members have been made aware of the review, which could last around six weeks.
It is unclear whether the properties will be sold or closed down, but the Maison Blanc trading name will be retained by the firm's owner.
Maison Blanc's ultimate owner is Fadwa Al Homaizi's Kout Food Investments, which is part of Kuwait-based Kout Food Group.
A statement from Maison Blanc said: "Maison Blanc has announced the appointment of Davis Coffer Lyons as specialist advisors as part of a strategic review into its current trading locations, this also includes the Maison Blanc production facility at Park Royal in London."
The patisserie group was initially founded by Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc in 1981 but he is no longer part of the business.
In the firm's latest financial statements filed on Companies House for the year ended 31 December 2014 it employed 275 people.
It made a loss of nearly £3m and recorded a turnover of £10.4m.
Maison Blanc has sites in: Chiswick, Fulham, Hampstead, Muswell Hill, Holland Park, St John's Wood, Oxford, Henley, Farnham, Burford, Winchester, Guildford and Chichester.
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