The Italian wine bar chain Veeno has entered administration for the second time within seven years. A formal notice highlighted that the company’s operating branch, Vintage Corporation, appointed David Kemp and Richard Hunt from Exigen Group on 8 April to navigate this administration process.
Current Operations and History
Veeno currently has five operational locations in the UK: Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Leicester. Earlier in the year, the Chester site was closed. The wine bar chain was founded in Manchester in 2013 by Nino Caruso and Andrea Zecchino.
Challenges Faced by Veeno
Nino Caruso explained, “Like many businesses in the UK casual dining sector, we have faced a combination of well-documented market pressures in recent years.” These pressures include rising operational costs and difficulties within the property market. He emphasized that the administration process aims to provide a pathway for addressing these challenges and establishing a more sustainable business model.
Peak Performance and Expansion Plans
At its height, Veeno operated 15 wine bars and announced plans in 2018 to open 12 new branches. Cedar Dean Commercial was appointed to manage this ambitious expansion strategy. However, after Zecchino’s departure that same year, the chain experienced closures, including locations in Harrogate and a franchise in Norwich.
Recent Developments
Veeno first entered administration in 2019. In a pre-pack deal, nine sites were acquired by Rodrigue Trouillet, a former Walt Disney executive. Trouillet joined the company initially as commercial director and later became co-owner as part of the rescue plan. The original Manchester location was closed in 2022.
Menu Highlights
Veeno offers a selection of wines sourced from Caruso’s family vineyard, Caruso & Minini, located in Marsala, Sicily. The menu features traditional Italian culinary options such as pizza, pasta, and spuntini, which includes various platters of Italian meats and cheeses.
The future remains uncertain for Veeno as it navigates these challenging circumstances, but the company is focusing on realignment and sustainability for its operations.
