Beanscene chief leaves after row

GORDON Richardson, founder of Beanscene, is setting up a series of licensed cafe-bars after quitting the iconic Scottish coffee shop chain due to a boardroom bust-up.

Richardson is planning several bars, which will combine live music with a European cafe-bar atmosphere, for Glasgow and Hamilton following a disagreement over expansion plans.

Richardson leaves the company "with immediate effect" after what he described as a "difference in opinion in terms of the future direction of the business".

He said: "Beanscene is an organic brand and that has made it hard to fund over the last nine years. I am already looking to launch my next project which will combine live music with a licensed cafe-bar." Richardson remains a shareholder.

Beanscene director Alan Stewart said the company remains in a strong financial position.