With the UK economy potentially wobbling, and Brexit uncertainty reigning, it would seem an odd time to try to push through with two consumer-focused listings. But that is what bowling alleys operator Hollywood Bowl and Lebanese restaurants business Comptoir Group are attempting.
Hollywood Bowl is the UK's largest 10-pin bowling operator with 54 centres across the country and enjoyed 25 per cent revenue growth to £55m in the six months to March after like-for-like sales growth of 11 per cent, producing a rise in adjusted cash earnings of 53 per cent to £16.8m. The directors, led by former MWB Business Exchange executive Stephen Burns, intend to adopt "a progressive dividend policy".
Comptoir, which is looking to float on Aim, owns 15 Lebanese and Middle Eastern-themed restaurants in London and Greater Manchester and is looking to raise £16m to give it an anticipated market capitalisation of £48m. It numbers Prezzo founder and former chief executive Jonathan Kaye amongst its non-executives.
