Whitbread buys 49% stake in Pure food chain

Whitbread has acquired a 49% stake in Healthy Retail, which trades as Pure, for £6.8m.

Pure, which has eight shops in London’s West and The City, specialises in fresh, natural healthy meals.

The Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner has the option to buy the remaining stake in the company in the next five years and the business will continue to be managed and operated by the Pure management team.

Chief executive officer Alison Brittain said: “As the UK's largest hospitality company, it's vital that Whitbread has its finger on the pulse of consumer trends and that we innovate with new formats and concepts.

“I see considerable opportunities to grow the brand and by taking a stake in Pure we fast become part of a business that specialises in the exciting growth market for natural, healthy takeaway food and drink."

Spencer Craig, founder and managing director of Pure, said: “We're growing fast and have plans to open more shops over the next three years. With Whitbread's backing and support we are looking forward to sharing our food with many more people and injecting further pace into building the Pure brand and expanding our network of shops."

At 1444 BST, Whitbread shares were up 0.2% to 3,878p.