Café Rouge and Bella Italia operator Tragus Holdings plans to launch a new Spanish tapas bar and cantina brand called Ortega and double the size of its Café Rouge estate to 170 restaurants.

In addition, the group has announced strong results for the year ended 28 May, reporting an increase in turnover of 11.1 per cent to £130m and a 7.7 per cent rise in like for like turnover.

One Bella Italia and six Café Rouge restaurants opened in Canterbury, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Plymouth during the financial period.

Tragus chief executive Graham Turner said: “This has been a year of considerable progress for our group owing to successful refinancing and good performance at our Café Rouge and Bella Italia restaurants. We are very excited by the recent launch of Ortega.” Details: www.tragusholdings.com