5th April 2019
Rosa’s Thai Cafe founders Alex and Saiphin Moore have invested in Liverpool-based, Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar concept Maray Restaurant Group with a view to further expansion.
Maray was founded by James Bates, Dominic Jones and Thomas White in 2014 and operates sites in Bold Street in Liverpool city centre and Allerton, with a third venue due to open this summer at The Royal Albert Dock. Alex Moore has become chairman of the company, with plans to use the new investment to secure additional sites across the UK.
Maray has plans to open in Manchester in early next year, with potential for a fifth site in London. The company’s third site will see the concept offer an extra 65 covers as it joins the likes of the Barrie brothers’ restaurant Marram Grass, Catalan concept Lunyalita and Rosa’s Thai Cafe as part of a new food and beverage line-up at the historic dock.
White said: “Alex champions company culture and, following a chance meeting in 2017 and learning about the way he and Saiphin grew their company from a market stall in Brick Lane to a 16-strong operation, we were excited to take the next step in our expansion with him on board.
The Maray concept was inspired by trips to the Marais area of Paris and the Middle Eastern food served throughout the city’s fourth district. The founders began by serving a short food menu alongside a punchy cocktail list. The company said: “The menu has developed into an eclectic selection of plates, all inspired by the flavours of the Middle East, with the drinks offering remaining prominent with a strong cocktail menu and carefully curated wine list.”
Alex Moore said: “Saiphin and I love Maray’s food and we’re big fans of the business and of Tom, Dom and Jay and how they’ve grown it organically over the past few years. We believe they’ve got something special and we felt we could help them and use our experience to manage the group’s growth modestly, ensuring they don’t lose sight of themselves and keep their soul along the way. We’re looking forward to working with the team to introduce the brand to Manchester and beyond in the next 12 months.”
Private equity group TriSpan acquired a majority stake in Rosa’s Thai Cafe last year.