Brian Turner and Stuart Le Gassick, one of the founding directors of investment fund AAIM, are to launch a new food-led pub and catering school in the South-west.

Turner and Le Gassick (who manages commercial property investments for clients including Sir Alex Ferguson and Simon Cowell through AAIM) have splashed out £1.25m on the Slab House Inn in Somerset.

Turner and Le Garrick will run the business together and are currently looking for further freeholds in Devon and Cornwall, with the intention to attach catering schools to each site.

They will also continue to work with Slab House head chef Andy Jones

Chris Bickle, leisure partner at Davis Coffer Lyons, said: “Le Gassick plans to open this business with Brian and may introduce a catering school on the grounds. We are actively looking for similar sites throughout the south-west of England to roll out this concept.”

Net turnover at the Slab House Inn was in the region of £630,000 per annum last year with 70% of turnover coming from food.

The current owners have been there for seven years and are looking to retire.

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By Christopher Walton

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