Fred's counter

Tesco has parted ways with Fred’s Food Construction, the deli-diner concept led by Paul Goodale, former director of restaurants at Harrods.

Both Fred’s sites in the Tesco Express in Philpot Lane and at the Tesco Extra in Osterley closed over the weekend.

It is understood that Tesco and the concept’s co-founder Daniel Gestetner, founder of global frozen yoghurt brand Yoomoo, have transferred their shares in Fred’s to Goodale, who is thought to be exploring new investment and expansion opportunities for the format.

The move comes as CEO Dave Lewis leads a strategy to concentrate on Tesco’s core offer.

Goodale said: “I’ve been delighted with the response to Fred’s since launch. Tesco have been a supportive partner over the past year.”

A Tesco spokesperson told The Grocer’s sister title, M&C: “We can confirm the closure of Fred’s Food Construction at the end of June in our Osterley and Philpot Lane stores.

“We’d like to thank the Fred’s team for all their hard work over the past twelve months and we’ll be working with them to ensure colleagues are fully supported.”

The site in Philpot Lanes was launched as part of the supermarket chain’s new Express food-to-go format as it looked to compete with the likes of Pret A Manger and Eat across the lucrative lunchtime market.

The group had previously indicated they were looking to open further sites under the concept.