NWTC, which owns 14 sites under the Botanist, The Oast House, Smugglers Cove, The Trading House and The Club House brands, has grown rapidly since it was formed by Living Ventures' co-founders, the late Tim Bacon and Jeremy Roberts in 2012. Seven new sites have opened in the last 15 months with sites in Sheffield, York and Reading planned to open this year.
Graphite, which has invested in Hawksmoor and is currently investing in Corbin & King, will continue pushing forward with the company's growth plans with NWTC chief executive Chris Hill and his senior management team continuing to run it.
Hill said: "We are delighted to be working with Graphite. Their partnership approach was attractive to us and their experience in supporting roll-outs in the pub and restaurant sector will be invaluable in the coming years. They share our vision for the future of the business and our enthusiasm for pushing out the traditional boundaries of the pub industry."
Graphite partner Omar Kayat added: "NWTC has rapidly established itself as one of the most innovative and respected pub and restaurant operators in the market. The company’s multi-branded approach to all day-dining combined with live entertainment in the evening has been hugely successful nationwide. We look forward to helping Chris and his team in their continued expansion across the UK."
Roberts said delivering the news was 'bitter sweet' following the death of his business partner Bacon last month.
"Tim was extremely proud of the business model we have created at Living Ventures and this transaction was the last deal we were working on together," he said. "It is so sad that he is not here to share it with me. But I know he would be delighted with the achievement and I know he was pleased with the home that NWTC is going to. Graphite have acquired a great business and, in Chris Hill, have secured the services of one of the brightest of our prodigies.”
NWTC currently employs more than 900 people across its 14 sites which stretch from Glasgow to London.