Guardian Warehouse Extension Opening
September 2022
On Thursday 8th September Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street opened a 70,000 sq ft high bay extension at Guardian Warehousing, Willenhall creating an additional 42 jobs and new business opportunities.
The £6 million investment by Bushell Investment Group, owners of Guardian Warehousing will increase the warehouse to 300,000 sq ft.
The impressive 70,000 sq ft high bay warehouse extension, which was designed by Gould Singleton Architects and built by local building contractor A&H Construction and Developments, used over 250 tonnes of steel to erect 12,500 additional pallet spaces, increasing the overall warehouse capacity to 34,000 racked pallet spaces.
Lee Bushell, Chief Executive Officer of Bushell Investment Group commented, “Congratulations to the Guardian Warehousing project team on delivering the impressive extension. We have invested over £10m into the site and created over 150 new jobs since acquisition, this investment has facilitated the creation of new jobs and importantly will act as a steppingstone for vocational training and apprenticeship routes into the warehousing, logistics and fulfilment industries.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “With this fantastic – and newly extended – facility, Bushell Investment Group’s Guardian Warehousing have bolstered their place at the vanguard of our rapidly growing logistics and fulfilment sector. I’m pleased to hear that Bushell Investment Group are making a substantial £6m investment here demonstrating their tremendous belief in – and commitment to – the West Midlands for which I’m grateful. I look forward to seeing local people benefitting from the forthcoming job and educational opportunities that this new announcement will unlock.”
For interviews, broadcasts or photography requests please contact: jessica@bushellinvestmentgroup.com
Dans Le Noir ?, the renowned dine in the dark restaurant experience at Swinfen Hall
Indulge in a feast for the senses with a NEW pop up from Dans Le Noir ? at Swinfen Hall, Staffordshire.
February 2022
This March only, Dans Le Noir ?, the renowned dine in the dark restaurant experience, which first opened in 2004 in Paris, followed by London in 2006 is set to open its first pop-up restaurant at Swinfen Hall Hotel, a stately manor house in the heart of Staffordshire, offering visitors, staycationers and locals alike, a new and wholly unique dining experience.
Since it’s opening in 2006, the Dans Le Noir ? collection has expanded across the UK, Europe and now the world. It offers the opportunity to taste gourmet, creative and seasonal cuisine in complete darkness, accompanied and served by unexpected guides. The concept of dinner or lunch in pitch darkness is an original experience that allows us to re-evaluate our perception of taste and touch, while reclaiming and reinvigorating our senses.
Perfect for those visiting the area on a staycation and in search of a unique dining experience, or simply a day trip from the city, be it London, Birmingham or Manchester, Dans le Noir ? breaks down the boundaries of traditional dining and presents diners with a sensory experience that ensures to indulge all your senses. The experience of dining in the dark has many surprises in store! First of all the delicious surprise menus created by the chefs will surprise and delight, using the finest, seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, free range and outdoor reared meats, accompanied by a refined and specially curated wine menu. Diners will be exposed to flavours, aromas, textures and temperatures, which is guaranteed to fully awaken and excite the senses.
On arrival, guests will be asked to place any shiny objects they are wearing into a safe for the duration of the experience. Diners are then met by the blind guide and escorted to a table where an introduction to the experience will be made and the service begins. The most exciting part is you won’t know what’s on the menu until the end, which allows you to truly taste every flavour and absorb your surroundings. It really is a feast for the senses!
- To Book: https://swinfenhallhotel.co.uk/dining-in-the-dark/
- Period: 1st March to 31st March 2022
- Price – £95pp – inc 3 course meal and wine
- Times:
- Wednesday to Saturday – first seating 6pm, last seating 9.45pm
- Sunday – 12 noon to 15.45pm
- Dietary requirements to be provided ahead of booking
- No photography allowed
About Swinfen Hall
Swinfen Hall is a beautiful, 250 year old country mansion set in a 100-acre Estate with landscaped gardens and a private deer park located in the Staffordshire countryside, with 18 beautifully appointed bedrooms. Renowned for its exquisite food, locals and visitors alike can indulge in a fantastic food events calendar in 2022.
The kitchen has held the AA three-rosette accolade for more than five years and is headed by Chef Ed Dutton who brings a wealth of experience having worked in Michelin star restaurants around Europe and London. In 2022 there will be an exciting food events calendar including Valentine’s supper, afternoon tea days, tasting menu special events, a monthly superb Sunday lunch and pop-up dining events throughout the year.
For more information or images please contact events@swinfenhallhotel.co.uk
Supercuts, Regis and Aldo Chief Executive Officer Jackie Lang will step up and become Chair of this group companies from 2022.
Supercuts, Regis and Aldo Chief Executive Officer Jackie Lang will step up and become Chair of this group companies from 2022.
November 2021
Jackie has served 34 years with the UK Hair group, and in 2020 also took over the leadership of Aldo UK.
She has led a team of over 1,000 colleagues in 120 salons and 13 Aldo stores, has mentored countless colleagues and is a highly respected member of our executive leadership team within Bushell Investment Group.
Rob Kerry will join as Chief Executive Officer from 1st December. After a short period of handover Jackie will transition to the new role of Chair in 2022.
Lee Bushell, CEO of Bushell Investment Group commented, “I would like to thank Jackie for her commitment, passion and drive within Regis and Supercuts and for all her hard work integrating and growing the Aldo acquisition. I am delighted that Jackie will remain a key leader within the business transitioning to a new role of Chair. Rob has been with Bushell Investment Group since inception and understands the UK Hair and UK Retail businesses. Rob was previously CEO of Guardian Jewellery which was Europe’s largest buyer of gold which grew to over 400 locations in the UK and Europe. Rob will be an asset to the company leading our talented team to deliver our ambitious growth plans.”
Jackie Lang shared the following, “I have been fortunate to be part of the UK Hair industry for 34 years and have built many relationships with talented hair stylists, business leaders and suppliers. I am delighted to be stepping up as Chair of the UK Hair and UK Retail businesses and am thrilled to be passing the baton to Rob who is already part of our business. I am looking forward to the future.”
Rob Kerry said, “I am looking forward to working with Jackie and the leadership team to continue to grow the Regis and Supercuts hair businesses and the Aldo shoe business continuing Jackie’s legacy. After a period of uncertainty on the high street we are looking forward to being able to execute some exciting retail plans.”
Bushell Investment Group invests £4 million in Guardian Warehouse
Bushell Investment Group invests £4 million in a 65,000 square foot high bay extension at Guardian Warehouse creating 40 news jobs in Willenhall.
November 2021
Phase two of a new £4 million investment in a 65,000 square foot high bay warehouse extension at the Guardian Warehouse logistics and storage facility in Willenhall has started which will initially create 40 new jobs.
Development works for the new warehouse building started on the 1st November 2021 and will complete in May 2022. The facility will increase in size to 280,000 square feet and 34,000 pallet capacities including 50,000 square ft block stack as part of a longer-term development plan at the site.
Services include warehouse storage, goods reception via containers, trailers and pallets, order processing, packaging, reverse logistics, distribution, ecommerce fulfilment, and container self-storage facilities. This ambitious development project which increases Guardian’s Warehouse pallet storage capacity by over 40%, is an essential development within the West Midlands, as the central region of the UK gears up to satisfy the unprecedented increase in warehouse demand caused by supply chain challenges, Brexit, and the continued growth of ecommerce. Clients include Pets at Home, Vimto, TK Maxx and Aldo shoes.
Guardian Warehouse is part of the Bushell Investment Group of companies, led by West Midlands businessman Lee Bushell. Chief Executive Officer Lee Bushell commented, “Storage and logistics is a core part of our group, and we are pleased to continue to invest in the development of our Willenhall logistics centre bringing jobs and business”.
Guardian Warehouse Managing Director Glyn Byrne commented, “There is strong demand for E-commerce services, warehouse storage and related logistics at this time. I am delighted to start phase two of our development plan to grow the site which will increase our storage and E-commerce capability significantly”.
For further information or interviews contact:
Marketing Assistant
lauren.roberts@bushellinvestment.co.uk
About Guardian Warehousing
https://www.guardian-warehousing.co.uk/
Aldo Shoes reopens flagship Oxford Street store
Aldo Shoes reopens flagship Oxford Street store.
November 2021
ALDO UK will open its Oxford Street store to shoppers on Friday 5th November, just over one year since the UK footwear retailer franchise was acquired by Bushell Investment Group.
Since the acquisition last year, saving 150 jobs and creating 50 new roles, ALDO UK has successfully reopened 12 stores in the UK and Ireland and launched a brand new store in Brent Cross Shopping Centre.
Managing Director Jackie Lang comments on the new store launch: “We are extremely excited to be reopening our ALDO UK flagship store. It’s fantastic to be welcoming back the shoppers of Oxford Street to our in-store experience once again. The whole team have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and safe opening.”
“The store will feature our new AW21 collection: Step into Love. The collection is all about inspiring people to love yourself, lift yourself and believe in yourself. We want to show people positively and authentically expressing themselves through style – whether it’s a pair of chunky trainers or show stopping heels; we want all our customers feeling amazing as they step into Autumn and Winter.”
Bushell Investment Group acquires footwear retailer ALDO UK
Bushell Investment Group acquires footwear retailer ALDO UK, saving 150 jobs and creating an additional 50 roles across the business over the next 12 months.
September 2020
The UK arm of ALDO, which fell into administration in May 2020, will join the growing BIG portfolio which already includes high street hair salon brands Regis and Supercuts. It is the fifth acquisition BIG have made in the last 18 months.
“We are incredibly excited to be part of ALDO UK’s future. The ALDO brand holds significant strength, offering high quality merchandise through its high street and ecommerce channels, and this is further supported by the passion and commitment of its workforce. For BIG, this exciting acquisition builds on our experience in the retail sector and adds further diversity to our growing portfolio.”
Lee Bushell, CEO at Bushell Investment Group
“The ALDO Group is thrilled that ALDO will preserve its store network and ecommerce business in the UK market under BIG’s umbrella. As a fashion capital, the UK has always been a strategic market, and having such a solid partner to join our brand is positive news.“
Michel Fahmy, Vice President at ALDO Group International
The sale of Regis UK Ltd to Birmingham based Bushell Investment Group
The sale of Regis UK Ltd to Birmingham based Bushell Investment Group was confirmed today, adding the salon brands Regis and Supercuts to the group’s already impressive portfolio.
April 2020
The sale stabilises the business, with the focus being on the key brands Regis and Supercuts. Regis will continue to operate as the ‘hair experts’, offering premium cut and colour services in a friendly, modern salon environment. Whilst Supercuts will continue to offer its popular walk-in service and great value cut and colour packages.
“It goes without saying we warmly welcome the investment by BIG. They have worked with us with utmost professionalism to rescue an incredible business that has been on the UK high streets since 1990. We were looking for investors who would be the best fit to not only conserve as much of our business as possible, but also to revive and position ourselves as the high street hair experts once again.”
Jackie Lang, Managing Director Regis UK Ltd
The sale ensures 961 jobs out of 1204 are preserved. The respective teams have worked hard over the past three weeks to maintain the existing business with the process proving challenging.