Urbium is a privately owned operator of late-night bar-restaurants and nightclubs that target the top end of the market. The venues attract affluent 21-to-35-year-olds and food and corporate business both form a substantial part of their sales mix.

Urbium’s flagship large-capacity Tiger Tiger bar, club and grill venues are located in major UK cities. They can typically hold about 2,000 customers, but the group has also developed a smaller format that will hold about 1,350.

The group claims to be market leader in London’s West End, where its bars focus on food, drink and group socialising.

Its City of London business targets the “post-work wind-down period” and venues are located near offices and key transport links.

A fourth concept, Premium Bar, is earmarked for launch in late 2005.

Finance director: Steven Palmer

"As anticipated, the results for the first half reflect the investment we have made in expanding and improving our estate and enhancing our sales and marketing capabilities. We expect the benefits of these initiatives will have a significant effect in the all-important final quarter of the current year and in 2006 and beyond."

Source: interim results statement, September 2005

Number of employees: about 1,3,00

Total number of bars: 36 (including 27 in London)

Tiger Tiger: nine, in Aberdeen, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Portsmouth

London West End venues: 19 – Babble, Boardwalk, Digress, Motion, On Anon, Oxygen, Ruby Blue, Strawberry Moons, Sugar Reef, Sway, the Langley, the Loop, the Soho, the Warwick, Tiger Tiger, Wax Bar, Zoo Bar (plus the Long Island Iced Tea Shop and Bar 38, which are being redeveloped)
 
London City venues: eight – Abacus, Agenda, Alibi, Apt, Context, Digress City (plus two Spirit venues in Covent Garden that are being redeveloped)

Full year

Turnover: £75.3m (2003: £66.7m)
Pre-tax profit: £9.7m (2003: £3.5m)*

Half year

Turnover: £35.1m (2004: £32 m)
Pre-tax profit: £1.2m (2004: £1.9m)*

* Pre-tax profits are after exceptional items and amortisation

Financial year end: 31 December 2004
Half year end: 26 June 2005