The G1 Group has taken a bigger portion of the St Andrews restaurant market by buying the House Group’s three eateries.
The Doll’s House, the Glass House and the Grill House join Forgans, Mitchell’s Deli and the Vic in the portfolio of more than 40 restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas and hotels throughout Scotland managed by G1.
The House Group was built up by television personality Carol Smillie’s husband Alex Knight, a restaurateur who first opened the Doll’s House and added the other two.
A spokeswoman for the new owners said: “We are delighted to have welcomed the House Group portfolio into the G1 Group fold.
“These are institutional venues within St Andrews, and our immediate priority has been to ensure it is business as usual and that customers enjoy the same warm and welcoming experience as they have previously.
“Our immediate plans moving forward will be to support the existing team of 70 staff across the three venues as we move into festive trading time a very exciting period for restaurants.
“Long term, we will be working hard to build on the strengths of these unique businesses, and to expand their offerings to suit the needs of St Andrews locals and visitors alike.”
G1’s other restaurant businesses in St Andrews include Forgan’s, housed in the former Forgan’s Golf Club Factory; Mitchell’s Deli, on the site of the former local butcher; and student-friendly the Vic.
These establishments have their own style and offering, the group spokeswoman said, and the group has no plans to change the themes of the three House restaurants which have been taken over.
G1 would not disclose the purchase price for the Doll’s House in Church Street, the Glass House in North Street and the Grill House in St Mary’s Place.
Their addition to the portfolio would put G1’s total workforce in St Andrews to approximately 175 people across six sites.
Two posts in marketing and support have been added to look after the G1 Group’s activities in St Andrews, and staffing numbers will swell for the festive season
G1, based in the former BBC Scotland headquarters in Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow, prides itself on being Scotland’s largest independent and most diverse leisure operator.
Many of its venues are housed in grade A and B listed buildings which have been restored, expanded, refreshed and put to use.
In Tayside, G1 venues include the Social in Dundee and the Playhouse in Perth.