Smith & Williamson launches Country Food & Dining 4

Smith & Williamson Investment Management Limited (“SWIM”) has announced the launch of Country Food & Dining 4 Ltd (“the Company”), which is seeking up to £2 million to acquire, develop and manage a new or existing farm shop business on a standalone freehold or long leasehold site.

The Country Food & Dining business model is to acquire existing, single operating units such as farm shops or garden centres in affluent rural locations and to develop a high quality food hall, combined with a dining facility on the site. Each location provides a destination experience to take advantage of the increasing consumer demand for fresh food and quality out-of-town retail and restaurant destinations.

With three existing sites trading, the Country Food & Dining model is a proven concept, having reported robust pre-Christmas trading.  The first Country Food & Dining outlet at Cobbs Farm Shop & Kitchen in Hungerford has experienced sales growth of 105% in the past year, while Woody’s Farm Shop and Dining, near Bath, the group’s second site, saw sales rise by 139% in the last quarter of 2009. 

The management team will be headed up by David Bruce who has over 43 years experience in the international brewing and leisure industry and was previously chief executive and co-founder of The Capital Pub Company plc.  David has led the development of three previous Country Food & Dining companies.

Martin Sherwood, Head of Tax Efficient Solutions at Smith & Williamson, comments: “The operation of these sites is one of the few asset-backed businesses which qualify for EIS relief whilst being permitted to acquire freehold property.”

The proposed term of the Company is likely to be between three-and-a-half and five years, with exit likely to come via a trade sale.  The minimum investment is £5,000 and the offer will remain open until 31 March 2010, unless extended.  Applications can only be accepted from persons falling within the exemptions detailed in the offer document.

For further information, please call:

Martin Sherwood, Smith & Williamson TES on 020 7131 4326                                     

Simon Stretch, BLJ Financial on 020 7259 0503

Disclaimer

This announcement shall not constitute or form any part of any offer or invitation to subscribe for, underwrite or otherwise acquire any securities. Any purchase of, or application for, securities in respect of Country Food & Dining should only be made on the basis of information contained in the offer document.

No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from on the basis of this announcement.  Information correct at time of writing.

Notes to Editors

About Smith &Williamson's Tax Efficient Solutions (TES) Division

TES is a leading originator, promoter and manager of tax mitigation products. The division provides a comprehensive range of products and services, both to its own clients and those of financial advisers, including discretionary portfolios of EIS and AIM holdings and tax-efficient special purpose vehicles. The product range is designed to shelter the three main taxes - income tax, CGT and IHT - and to provide Accelerated Taper Relief.

TES is backed by the tax and investment expertise of Smith & Williamson, one of the leading independent professional and financial services groups in the UK. The group employs over 1,400 people in 10 locations in the UK. Its annual revenues exceed £150 million and it has funds under management of over £9 billion.

Smith & Williamson Investment Management Limited

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority