Member Article

bdaily meets Oliver Vaulkhard, Director of Fluid Group

Fluid Group owns and operates six bars in Newcastle - Barluga, Perdu, Fluid, The Mushroom, Quilted Camel and Blackie Boy – and the contemporary coffee shop chain, Central Bean. Central Bean has three outlets in Newcastle, Jesmond and Morpeth. The company currently employs 300 staff.

Following a spell working as diving instructor in the Cayman Islands, Ollie returned to the north east in 1995 and opened his first bar, the Quilted Camel. In 2000 working with fellow director, Dave King he launched the successful Fluid Group. Ollie is passionate about creating food and drink outlets which, by epitomising, quality, style, customer service and satisfaction, are here for the long-term.

He is married with two daughters and is currently not involved with any boards.

In 2009, Barluga won the ‘Best Interior’ category in the north east restaurant awards, it also won the Gourmet Society’s ’ Best Interior’ award in 2010.

The next 12 months see the group continue to grow organically and sustainably. Fluid will be opening the first Barluga Deli, a European styled cafe and deli, in Morpeth later this year, creating 35 new jobs.

A fourth Central Bean will open in the University of Newcastle’s new development, this September. Central Bean@the Business School will be centrally located on the ground floor of the university’s new Business School. Also, Fluid has identified further sites Central Bean outside of the region. These outlets are likely to open late summer 2012.

Exploring what the USP of the group is Ollie explains: “In essence, taking the long-term view”. In every venture Fluid undertakes the company’s level of investment is such that it doesn’t look to do well today or tomorrow but looks to continue to do well in years to come. This is achieved in a number of keys ways such as not appealing to price driven trade, selling quality whether that is from the food and drinks served at the various bars and coffee shops or the surroundings our customers enjoy and making continued investments in those venues and importantly, the people within the organisation.

The georgrahic reach is currently from Morpeth in Northumberland to Newcastle.

When asked about CR, Ollie explains Fluid does not have a formal, documented programme however, the company does take corporate responsibility seriously. For example, Perdu is the biggest glass recycling pub in Newcastle. The operator also recycles its polycarbonate glasses every six weeks. This ensures a continuous high level of quality and drinking experience for its customers.

All employees benefit from an in-house training programme and continuous career and personal development. Promotion is always from within, which ensures the continuity of staff exceeding expectations and a high level of standards, across all outlets.

When asked what’s the current central news story about the company, Ollie highlights the opening of Barluga Deli, creating more local employment.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Oliver Vaulkhard .