Yorkshire healthy eating firm extends crowdfunding campaign after surpassing £500k target

Filmore & Union, a Yorkshire based healthy eating company, is extending its crowdfunding campaign for an additional 15 days after exceeding the £500k target in less than 45 days.

The independent chain of healthy eating cafes and restaurants launched a crowdfunding investment campaign with Crowdcube in May to help fund expansion plans and open additional sites across the North of England.

Since the launch, Filmore & Union has raised a total of £654k from 174 investors, in return for 16.75% equity in the business.

The business has decided to extend the campaign to accelerate it’s growth which will increase the its value for investors and make the business more attractive to a purchaser within the timeframe covered in the business plan.

Filmore & Union was founded in 2011 by Adele Carnell, a former wellness clinic owner, and nephew Will Pugh, a Michelin trained chef, who spotted a gap in the high street for a healthy food brand.

After opening their first café and restaurant on Low Petergate, York, in March 2012, the duo now operate from 7 sites across Yorkshire, with three more planned to open in the next 3 months in Harrogate, Ilkley and Beverley.

The family run business, which had a turnover of £3.2m in 2014, will use the money raised from the crowdfunding campaign to facilitate the launch of new eateries across the North of England; making fast, healthy food accessible to more people.

Adele Carnell, director of Filmore & Union, said: “It’s been amazing to have been supported by so many people who love our food and concept and we can’t thank everyone enough for their investment and support so far.

“We’ve not only had support financially in raising our target, but we now have some new board members who are loyal customers of Filmore and will be supporting us in other ways as well as being brand ambassadors. We’ve decided to extend our fundraising period as we’re still getting so much interest so we want to make sure that everyone who wants to has the opportunity to invest in us.

“Achieving our crowdfunding target means that we can make pure, natural and wholesome food accessible to more people across the North of England which is so exciting for us! Ultimately, we want everyone to be able to enjoy nutrient dense food that will help their bodies support them and consequently live a happier and healthier lifestyle.”

Craig McKenna, Crowdcube’s investment manager for the North of England, added: “We’re delighted that Filmore & Union have achieved their target. We wish them all the success for the future and can’t wait to watch them continue to grow.”

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