A halal meat wholesaling business has franchised its business with funding from NatWest, in a move that has created 70 new jobs.
The family-run business is set to open five franchise shops by the end of the year, all expecting a turnover of around £50,000 per week.
Currently, there are three set up in Leyton, Ilford and Upton Park and the fourth is soon to be launched in South Harrow.
Tariq Sheikh is a well-known figure in the halal industry and currently runs the business, which was set up in 1965 by his father who was a butcher.
Commenting on the funding from NatWest, Sheikh said: “We really wanted to work with a bank that understood our desire to move halal with the times and franchise modern, clean shops. Having been recommended to me, Kunal Patel at NatWest has far exceeded our expectations and he has been very supportive in helping our business grow.”
He expects to have a total of 25 shops by the end of 2015, with a planned expansion to France and Denmark.