Barber takes over Villandry
London foodstore, bar and restaurant Villandry has been taken over by Hush boss Jamie Barber.
The Great Portland Street institution was acquired by Barber towards the end of last month for an undisclosed sum from US-born entrepreneur Martha Greene, who stays on as a part-time creative director.
Villandry is now owned by the Foodstore Group, a new business set up by Barber and a group of private investors. The project is not related to Steamroller Restaurants, Barber's joint venture with Geoffrey Moore.
Barber said the primary focus was to bring the Great Portland Street site up to date and make it the "best it can be".
Plans are already in place for a back-office upgrade as well as a front-of-house refurbishment.
"It is such an amazing concept but it needs some investment," he added.
Villandry opened 14 years ago on Marylebone High Street and relocated to its current, larger premises on Great Portland Street in November 1997.
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