Italian delicatessen La Bottega ready for expansion in London

UPMARKET Italian deli La Bottega is set to expand in London after getting a £2m investment from a fund run by private equity veteran Peter Dubens.

The chain, which currently has six sites in Belgravia, Chelsea, South Kensington, Ryder Street, Berners Street and Pont Street, is in line for £960,000 of new equity and a £1m mezzanine loan from the listed Pembroke Venture Capital Trust, launched by Dubens earlier this year.

The fund is thought to be backed by heavyweight investors like Carphone Warehouse founder Sir Charles Dunstone and Next chief executive Lord Wolfson.

La Bottega was set up in Chelsea in 2005 by husband and wife duo Bepi and Roberta Augustin.