Tue 11th Nov 2014 - 24-hour London concept VQ wins investment from Richard Northcott 24-hour London concept VQ wins investment from Richard Northcott: VQ, the 24-hour London café & diner, is set to grow after securing new investment from Richard Northcott, the entrepreneur who founded Dodge City (now B&Q) and Pet City (now Pets at Home). Led by managing director Simon Prideaux, VQ has seen a 24% uplift in like-for-like sales on the back of its rebranding and refurbishment in 2012. The brand currently serves over 5,500 customers a week in Chelsea and Bloomsbury and plans are underway to expand further across the capital. 24-hour or late-night licence sites in Shoreditch, Waterloo, Borough, Clapham, Notting Hill and Islington are being sought. The original VQ located on the Fulham Road SW10 has been looking after Chelsea’s finest and notorious for 19 years. A second site opened on Great Russell Street WC1 last year under the 720-bedroom St Giles Hotel off Tottenham Court Road, complete with 45 foot glass frontage and 120 covers. Richard Northcott is a director of Cirrus Inns with 14 pubs and previously Geronimo Inns. He said: “VQ is a great concept with a terrific team. I think we can grow into a significant brand home and abroad.” Simon Prideaux added: “Since becoming a totally independent company in December 2011, VQ has taken a huge leap forward. The rebranding and refurbishment of VQ Chelsea gave us a revitalised, modernised and strengthened concept as well as record results! VQ Bloomsbury has successfully tested the concept in a bigger site and in an area with a very different demographic, as well as show that the concept works successfully when linked to a hotel. Richard Northcott’s involvement is both well-timed and exciting as his extensive experience in retailing will ensure we grow at a quicker pace, and become the market leaders in 24 hour and late night dining both in London and further afield.”