Pub and restaurant group Glendola Leisure has made the first step in its planned £20m investment in the casual dining sector by acquiring The Watermark at Port Solent in Portsmouth.

The company, owner of Rainforest Café and Waxy O’Connor’s, plans to acquire a number of casual dining businesses in the capital and the south coast over the next five years.

Managing director, Alex Salussolia, said: “"We believe that casual dining in this country is a growth sector.

“The Watermark represents the type of business that we are looking to develop within the casual dining sector, namely, independent venues that serve quality food and drink in a charming and relaxed setting."

By Daniel Thomas

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