Dundee-based SHK Property and Investments has invested more than £1 million under a unique partnership agreement with Gastro Taverns, the bar and restaurant group formed by managing director Julian Mobbs last August.

Under the terms of the agreement between the two companies, SHK will now develop its licensed trade property portfolio alongside Gastro Taverns’ expansion of its assortment of restaurants and bars.

The first deal struck between SHK and Gastro Taverns, concluded in just eight weeks, has seen SHK purchase two bar/restaurants, one in Aberdeen and one in Kirkcaldy, which have then been leased to Gastro Taverns for redevelopment.

Mr Hussain said, “Although both restaurants are already commercially successful operations, I am convinced that Gastro Taverns will add significant value to them through the introduction of its own unique bar/restaurant concept.

“This deal is significant for SHK since, whilst we are already active in the licensed sector through the ownership of a pub in Stonehaven and an hotel in the north of Scotland, our partnership agreement with Gastro Taverns effectively marks our introduction to the bar/restaurant sector.”

Gastro Taverns intends to turn its new Aberdeen operation into a café bar called The Gas Lamp, whilst the Kirkcaldy operation will open as a Scottish grill restaurant called The Flaming Kilt. Both 80 seater restaurant are scheduled to open under their new names this month (March).

Mr Mobbs said, “Gastro Taverns intends to work together with SHK as two companies, growing both our portfolios. Working with Tony is excellent as he, like me, is a visionary and pioneer – we both have considerable experience within our respective fields.

“The partnership between our two companies really works – SHK procures the property and leases it back to Gastro Taverns which procures the businesses themselves, all the fixtures and fittings and refurbishes them extensively, so it’s a win/win relationship for both firms.”

Within only six months Gastro Taverns has grown from one to four venues across Scotland and is looking to procure a further six sites this year in partnership with SHK. The firm uses farm fresh food and brings quality of food and service, and purchases its products where possible within a 40 mile radius of each venue in order to help support the local economies within which it operates.

In addition to providing tenants with a comprehensive range of advice on everything from business plans, cash flow, management, sales, marketing and success optimisation to refurbishing premises, business rollout strategies, including franchising, SHK Property and Investments offers sale and leaseback arrangements, helps raise finance for various ventures and, where appropriate, invests directly in operations.