Lunya Restaurant & Deli Transitions To Employee Ownership
Nationally acclaimed Catalonian-inspired eatery Lunya has become employee-owned.
Their transition, unique to the hospitality industry in the UK, will enable co-owners Peter & Elaine Kinsella to eventually retire and secure Lunya’s future and preserve its core values.
Lunya is best known for bringing the authentic flavours of Spain to the UK, having been founded in 2010 by the Kinsella’s.
The brand has become a beloved destination for food lovers in Liverpool and across the country offering an authentic taste of Catalonia and Spain with a modern twist.
The brand has collected multiple awards and built a loyal customer base through its commitment to quality, passion for Spanish cuisine, and dedication to exceptional service. Still unsurpassed, it has twice been winner of the Good Food Guide Northwest Restaurant of the Year.
Peter enthused that he was proud to announce Lunya’s transition to employee ownership, which has been achieved by selling the shares in the company to an employee ownership trust (EOT).
“This significant change marks a new chapter in Lunya’s journey, as it places the future of the business in the hands of our dedicated staff, ensuring the continuation of our unique culinary and cultural experience for years to come.”
Peter maintained that the transition to employee-ownership “would ensure Lunya’s core values and commitment to quality remain intact.”
He continued: “The move to employee ownership reflects Elaine’s and my belief that the people who have been integral to Lunya’s success should have a stake in its future. This new structure not only rewards the hard work and dedication of the staff but also empowers them to play a direct role in the restaurant’s continued growth and innovation as we gradually retire.”
Co-owner Elaine was diagnosed with Myeloma in 2021, an incurable blood cancer, and has taken a back seat in the business. Peter will continue to actively lead Lunya for years to come, hoping to fully retire within an approximate 7-year timescale, but scaling back some of his involvement over that time.
His role will be that of Executive Chairman, or as Peter describes it, ‘the palate and principles of the business’, still working actively in the business, and mentoring the management team.
Tom Cavanagh, the Director of Operations who has been managing Lunya on a day-to-day basis for nearly two years said: “The team is really excited by this opportunity given to us by Peter and Elaine.
“We are very grateful for their generosity, in effect, gifting us the business, and we plan to continue to run and develop Lunya, so it continues to be recognised as one of the very best Spanish restaurants in the UK. Personally, I love leading the business and will be working very closely with Peter and Elaine, so they get the retirement they deserve in the future.”
Pete added: “Elaine and I have always believed in the power of our team and their dedication to making Lunya the special place it is today. By transitioning to an employee-owned model, we are ensuring that Lunya’s unique character, passion for Catalan culture, and commitment to excellence will be preserved for generations to come.”
Under the new EOT model, Lunya’s employees will increasingly have a greater say in the business’s strategic direction and a stake in its financial success. This model fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose, ensuring that every team member is invested in delivering an exceptional dining experience to customers.
Elaine and Peter hope an EOT will encourage staff to stay for longer and financially benefit long term from their involvement.
Elaine in paying a special tribute to the team said: “This transition is a testament to the incredible people who make up the Lunya family. Our team is at the heart of everything we do, and we are thrilled to see them take an even greater role in shaping the future of Lunya. We believe this new chapter will bring fresh ideas, renewed energy, and continued success; and eventually significant financial rewards for our team.”
The legal arrangements for the EOT have been carried out by Brabners LLP with the financial arrangements delivered by Mitchell Charlesworth Accountants.
Partner at Brabners, Stephen Hadlow said:
“The move to employee-ownership heralds a bright new chapter for Lunya, but without sacrificing the brand integrity and independence Peter and Elaine have built over the years.
“Supporting one of Liverpool’s quintessential food destinations on its adoption of employee-ownership demonstrates the versatility of the EO model as a succession strategy which now spans a wide and increasingly diverse spectrum of industry sectors.”