Conviviality completes purchase of event company Peppermint: Following its recent purchase of Matthew Clark Holdings, Conviviality has finalised the purchase of a majority stake in bar and events company Peppermint. Peppermint, a London based bar and events solutions business, is one of the largest event bar operators in the UK, and work with outdoor events and brand owners to deliver a full 360 degree spectrum of event services for their clients. The company, headed up by Adam Hempenstall and Alex Brooke, was created 13 years ago and now services more than 40 events annually, primarily providing bars and catering services to outdoor events, and pours over four million pints every summer. It is proud to be servicing the cream of the UK’s festivals and outdoor events market, with clients including AEG Live and Live Nation and events such as British Summer Time in Hyde Park, Henley Regatta, The Rugby World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. Matthew Clark was in discussions with the pair prior to Conviviality acquiring the Matthew Clark business on 7 October. Conviviality wanted to pursue this investment as the acquisition elevates the company to a strong and unique position, which will offer existing and prospective festival and outdoor event clients access to their wide range of products in a commercially viable environment. This relationship seeks to offer a new generation of choice alongside brand investment, adding value to clients through multi-channel sponsorship. The deal comes just over a year after Matthew Clark purchased a 51% stake in experiential marketing agency, Elastic. Peppermint will continue to run as an independent business, but both parties will take advantage of the natural synergies working together will bring. Diana Hunter, chief executive Conviviality, said: “We are very excited to be offering this great opportunity to any brand that wants to engage consumers in the outdoor event market. We believe this new partnership will help justify the ROI for brands at the strategy stage of brand planning, through the development of event campaigns based on unique insight. We look forward to working with the Peppermint team as we continue to build this unique offer.”

Pipers Crisps win “Best Savoury Snack” for fourth time in a row: Pipers Crisps, stocked by a range of sector operators, has been voted Britain’s ‘Best Brand’ of savoury snack for an unprecedented fourth year in a row. The Lincolnshire-based crisp maker once again topped the survey of speciality food products on sale in UK delicatessens, farm shops and food halls, as voted for by the retailers themselves. “We’re delighted to have won the ‘Best Brand’ accolade not once, but four times in a row,” said Pipers Crisps’ founder Alex Albone. “It’s an especially important award because it’s voted for by the retailers themselves; our own customers. It shows that we’re not only doing the right things, but we’re also doing them well. A consistently high quality product, exceptional customer service and great distribution – these are clearly valued by our loyal independent retailers and their customers.” Pipers Crisps are now available in around 5,000 outlets across the UK, including cafes, coffee shops, bars, pubs, food halls, farm shops, delicatessens and specialist retailers. “We’ve worked hard to make sure our crisps are easily available across the UK. We have our own personal delivery service operating out of three regional hubs, or customers can buy through our carefully selected regional wholesalers,” Albone added.