Sport bar looks at expansion

Bosses at Cannock's Bar Sport have launched a search for new investors ahead of a major expansion plan at several sites across the West Midlands.

The unique sports bar format could be set to spread across the region if businessman owner Scott Murray can find the cash to fund his ambitions.

The Bar Sport idea has been a major success for Murray, a former amateur boxer, after he launched the bar in High Green, Cannock, in 1996.

Now he has set his sights on taking the idea across the region and is hoping to open at least another 10 new bars within the next 18 months.His plans won't stop there either, with the cash from new investors, Murray is looking to roll the idea out across the UK with a franchise arm of the business as well. After the bar in Cannock, Murray opened up new nightspots in Walsall, in 2001 and Rugby, Warwickshire, in 2006. The bars currently have an average turnover of £1 million and the flagship fourth venue is due to open in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in November.

Among the towns on Murray's hitlist are Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Northampton and towns in Worcestershire.

"As an independent company our aim is to have 10 venues by 2010 but with investment we could speed that up," said Mr Murray.

The bars feature live sport and sport memorabilia.